Athens 1280 BC
One
If anyone had asked Thessalus to trace back to the root of his city's current problems he would have started telling the story of a shipwreck. They should have known then that nothing good would come of Poseidon's anger-the Sea God hadn't killed them then and had now enlisted the aid of Ares and Artemis to help ruin Theseus and his companions. It was the only way to explain how things had gone so horribly wrong.
But of course a small company of King Theseus' men-including Thessalus and his friends Procas and Sithon-had in fact found themselves stranded by a storm on the shores of the Black Sea. The men had thought themselves lost when over a rise rode salvation-warriors on horseback. Thessalus cringed internally as he remembered that first glimpse and all the pain that had come of it. No, it would have been better for all concerned if the Athenian men had died on the beach.
The ten of them sat straight backed on their horses guiding them with knees and thighs instead of a harness-it were as if rider and beast were one. The Athenian men admired their armour and weapons; some carried bows, others swords but most impressive was the single handed labrys axe. Each wore a spectacular battle mask designed to strike fear into the hearts of their foes. The over all effect had had the Athenians scared out of their wits.
With anxious eyes and twitching hands the Athenians looked to Theseus for leadership and he signalled them to still themselves. Thessalus could vividly remember every detail of the great King walking forward and bowing to the strange warriors who had inadvertently rescued them. "I am Theseus of Athens, my men and I have been ship wreaked can you help us?"
For what had seemed an eternity the warriors looked to each other; as if none of them had understood the words spoken to them in Greek. Thessalus' attention was drawn to the slender one whose mask had a wide white stripe across the temple-that one seemed to be the leader of the small band. Smiling that he had guessed right Thessalus had watched that warrior knee his horse forward to look down on Theseus of Athens. The next movement sealed the fates of both their people, the mounted warrior pulled off her mask.
Even now within the walls of Athens, sitting by a warm fire a shudder ran through Thessalus' body at the memory of his first glimpse of HER. Her face had been pale but pretty by Greek standards, her dark hair tied back securely, but it was her eyes that lanced him to the core. A rich blue with a centre of green, they spoke of pain and loss but also hidden joy and celebration. Thessalus had never seen anything so beautiful before in his life-even if her face was too young to carry such hardened eyes. He still hadn't found anything more beautiful to him than her eyes.
He remembered watching open mouthed as she glared down at them all-it was a look meant to chill a man to the core with its mercilessness-it worked. She spoke to them in flawless Greek, "I am the last face any of you will see if my Queen decides not to shelter you. If it were my choice we'd kill you all now like the vermin you are."
Thus the companions of Theseus found themselves walking behind the women warriors towards their city- Themiskyra. "Amazons!" Sithon hissed with an inhuman bounce in his step, "We've found Amazons!"
"You're forgetting that they found us." Socus the procurer, well known as a tight fisted man mumbled, "Why won't they allow us to ride with them."
Thessalus was about to speak when Procas beat him to the draw, "Why should they? It's only been ten years since Hercules came and slaughtered their warriors. The girl was right we're lucky they didn't kill us on sight."
"Like such pretty little things could kill us," Sithon shook his head in disbelief, "Procas could probably take five on with one arm tied behind…"
The men hushed as the Amazon with the striped mask wheeled her horse around to ride beside them. Her eyes were stormy and narrowed as she glared at them, "You would do well to still that tongue of yours…"
"Why's that?" Sithon shrugged confused but the others wisely created some distance between themselves and their hapless companion, "You're the only one who speaks Greek."
The Amazon's smile was cold but to Thessalus it made her seem less otherworldly and more human, "That maybe but it doesn't mean I won't tell my sisters what you're saying about them…and laugh while they cut your fool tongue out as a prize."
"You wouldn't do that would you?" Sithon asked timidly then in a low voice to Thessalus, "She wouldn't do that? Could she?"
Unable to hide his sly smile Thessalus darted his eyes upwards at the woman on the horse, "I think she would…then start cutting things a little lower off too."
Even now wrapped in the cool darkness of night Thessalus could feel his lips twitching at the memory of Sithon's horrified expression and the silent Amazon's small smile. Time had shown Thessalus that he hadn't underrated her skill or her willingness to display it-both Sithon and Procas had fallen by her hand in the last three years. That final small measure of mirth drained from Thessalus' body at the thought of his fallen friends; they had fought bravely but few men stood long against the mighty 'Death Song' of the Amazons.
Thessalus knew he should have felt a need to avenge his comrades' defeat but he just couldn't find it in himself to grieve. Their deaths meant she lived and even now after the years of separation and bloodshed Thessalus loved Molpadia as deeply as he had that first day.
"It's not good to sit out here brooding all night long," a warm voice purred from the darkness-Thessalus didn't have to turn to guess it's owner's identity-there was only one women in Athens who dared stand on the ramparts at night.
"Shouldn't you be sleeping Antiope?" Thessalus asked trying to keep his tone light; she was after all his Queen.
She stepped forward and rested one arm against the cold stone bringing Thessalus fully out of his memories. He watched from the corner of his eye as she looked down at the small cook fires of the seizing army, "It's no use trying to find her down there, Theseus' archers are watching for her. If I know Orithia she'll keep Molpadia well out of sight until they fight-even if it means tying her daughter up."
"I didn't realize you were that intimate with her strategy," Thessalus remarked dryly.
In the darkness the Amazon Queen's pale hair glowed against her sun bronzed skin as she smiled wearily, "Orithia and Melanippe are my battle sisters-we trained together everyday since we could stand. It is Orithia's determination that keeps this war going and Melanippe's soul that strengthens the warrior's blades. We were only children when Hercules came and the best of the Amazon nation died to prevent him from defiling the Hippolyta. I had hoped that they would understand the sacrifice I made leaving my sisters to be with Theseus."
"From the looks of things you don't know them as well as you thought," Thessalus nearly growled, "They think we abducted you. The Amazons and Scythians have laid Attica to waste and have besieged Athens itself for three years to avenge your lost honour."
Her voice was cold reminding Thessalus that once Antiope was another warrior to be feared even if living in Athens had softened some of her lines, "If that what angers you Thessalus of Athens? That your beloved city has been smeared by the ugliness of war or that your loyal lies with the invaders? She couldn't have come with you Thessalus."
"What would you know about it?" This time the growl was not subdued.
On hunter's feet Antiope left his side and moved to the door that lead back into the citadel without turning, "Molpadia is a warrior of great honour. To be with you would have meant turning her back on everything; her family, her sisters, her freedom. If you had brought her here she would have lost her honour-the Molpadia you loved would be dead and you would have been the one who killed her."
Thessalus was left alone to watch the fires shrouded in darkness nursing the wounds Antiope's words had caused. They cut all the deeper because he knew the fallen Queen was right.
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"You called me Mother?" The most feared Amazon warrior of the Attic War stooped her head and entered the tent of the woman who had birthed her, all signs of public deference washed from her voice.
On a stool frowning over a map of the city sat Orithia War Leader of the Amazon Nation-a woman who for years had fronted every battle they fought. The last three years had not been kind; new lines creased her sun worn face and hints of silver had appeared at her temples. Now it was her only daughter who led most of the charges while Orithia plotted a way into the city to rescue their Queen. Setting down the newest map that their spies had provided them she turned, "I did, glad to see you took my advice and stopped wearing your war mask everywhere."
"I didn't realize I had a choice in the matter," the girl's tone was crisp, "But you had to have something more important to talk to me about than the fact that I'm hiding myself from the archers."
A frown creased the War Leader's face as she realized just how much she and her child were alike, stubborn, reckless, sarcastic and cruel at times. "Indeed. Hoytosir has managed to slide himself past the walls and into the city…I have sent him to learn more about where they are holding Antiope."
Anger surged through Molpadia forcing her to grip her hands into fists to keep from thumping them down on the table, "It's too dangerous the Athenians know him. Hecate's breasts! He's not exactly inconspicuous! Theseus knows enough of our ways to suspect any maimed or crippled man in the city. It would have been more humane of you to smother him at birth like the other boys."
Moving quicker than even she expected Orithia jumped from her seat and brought her open palm down on Molpadia's pale cheek, "Enough! I had my reasons for keeping him I don't have to share them with you. Do you think I don't know full well how much you care for him even if he is just a man? No, Molpadia; your brother volunteered to go into Athens-he wanted to prove to his sister the hero that he too could be brave. Somewhere along the line you infected him with your stubbornness; he was always a biddable child."
"If he dies the blood is on your hand," Orithia watched as Molpadia's eyes iced over; a common occurrence in the last three years, "I've got more then my share already."
Silent Orithia watched her daughter stride out of the tent; no matter how hard she had tried the girl would not warm to her. Any chance they might have had at closeness had flown long before the dirty Greeks came and stole their Queen away in the dead of night. Every warrior killed a piece inside themselves so as to excel in their craft-Orithia had willing given her warmth and emotion to regain the glory of the Amazon Nation. The small part of her that was still Molpadia's mother wondered if her daughter had anything left to feed her own warrior fire.
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I'm back…Yay! I bet every one missed me so. snort It's a good thing I can multitask…I finished this chapter while watching Canadian Idol and thinking…I'm sooo much meaner than Zack why can't I have his job?? Instead I give to you more angsty fun…maybe I should get ballet slippers to match my tutu and Angst Wand ? Forgive me if it seems a bit confusing but I'm going to be slipping back and forth from the past the present in this section a bit…let me know if it wasn't clear enough for you.
And for everyone who asked if the last interlude was Greek or Roman…Kudos to those who guessed Greek. The island of Thera erupted in a most violent manner almost a million times more powerful than any modern volcano has…it's what archaeologists believe to be the basis for the story of Atlantis. Mmmmm…can you tell I wanted to be a stuffy classics major and spend my life playing in the dirt finding pottery? Consider that your educational moment for the day.
So the responses.
Ishy – Yeah I'm all better now…I'm just working six day weeks instead of having fun abusing my liver. Yes, it was Greece. Hey, sorry…I let her live…but it was an empty life without the past Remy. Much like her current life without Remy. Yep I had to get him there somehow. Yay…I'm gonna horde my pink stars until it comes time for the Renaissance. You'll take them away…I know it. What can I say…they are doomed…but maybe they'll work through all the bad karma…I mean they did anger the Gods by breaking her vows as Ashait and Rami…the rest is to make up for it. I'm going to disappoint you…they won't die together here. Maybe the next life? I might make a pit stop in Salem…I know a fair amount to do it justice…but I'm iffy on having them be actual historical figures…that gets dicey. The WW2 should be nice…my Gramps was a war historian…muhahahahaha. I shall raid his library! Unwards and Upwards I say!
DaydreamingImmortal – Hardcore huh? Now is that SUM41 hardcore or Sex Pistols hardcore…cause only one is really a) Rock and b) hardcore. But I digress. Yeah I love history and mythology…I get to mush everything together here-it makes me happy. I don't know a lot…I just pretend to and writing this is my way of procrastinating on what I hope will become my first novel. Oh I care…anyone who reads my babbles knows that I think I suck as a writer…ahhh…how easily we can be influenced by our teachers. I appreciate the fact that I make you want to learn!
BrownEyedImagination –Yeah I can't drone on and on forever about each life…that would get boring…so some are going to be nice and short like that for variety…but I swear the interesting ones will be long. At this point in the game the Mediterranean is the mostly known world…but I will be drifting away from there soon.
Evosmylife – Does it? Again though…what kind of rock? Graphite? Granite? Marble? Where do I get all my fabulous ideas from you ask….drugs…lots of them…j/k…although I have been advised to take some apparently I'm a bit Manic at times. Stuffy people who want consistent moods! Bah I say BAH! Any way…Thera happened almost a thousand years BEFORE Pompeii it's just not as well known because the evidence was mostly destroyed by the blast…except for that GIGANTIC crater in the middle of the island. As a Pagan I take pride in knowing my Pantheons…I'd have to turn in my Pentacle if I didn't. Yes but before the dying and after the falling in love there's the unbearable angst…I am the Angst Fairy you know.
The Real Mai – Hmmmm…I hadn't thought of the Napoleonic Wars (noticing a theme anyone??????) But I had an inkling about the French Revolution. I might have to revise…mmmmm…you've made me ponder. I have loyal fans…a great ones too…I wish I could give you guys all cookies.
Star of Chaos – Hmmm I think I could handle a bit of violence and bloodshed…as long as Remy and Rogue live…I kill them off enough to depress even myself. If you borrow the Angst Wand I'll put fresh AAA's in it…otherwise the light up Anarchy sign won't work.
Scooby0530 – It's okay…I'm another year older and certainly no wiser…I think it was just an excuse for my friends to drink buckets of martinis. But thanks. Yep…it was Bella…she'll pop in every now and then you know. You got everyone…Thalia was Wanda though and Cyrene's sister Proclea was Kitty. Yes, I was really nice letting them die in each other's arms like that…I'll have to make it up to myself. I promise they will have a happy life…but it won't be conventional…no siree.
Thalia – So…you're going to use your favourite female character's names right? Oooh…you'll like Wanda's in this one… Deinomache the 'Terrible Warrior'. I like giving shout outs…it means I had reviews…I like reviews. They encourage me to write. Cyrene was an accident…I really just liked the name. You get a lollipop for getting everyone right…I'm sure Ishy still has one lying around. I can handle my liquor…I just need to wear flats, pants so I can't flash…a shirt that won't ride up…and a big glass of water at the end of the night…wish me luck it's PRIDE weekend in Toronto and I'm not getting out of any of the parties. The things I do to be seen in public with unearthly beautiful French men. Yes there is a limit…a very clear one.
Rogue07 – I actually stole the idea…from myself. I wanted to do a BTVS fic like this when I still have the stomach to write in that fandom…but that's a rant of a different colour. I modified my ideas for this to fit and started writing because the research I'm doing for my novel is boring. I'm glad I brought everything to life for you. Keep reading it'll only get better.
Aezelea – Well I try to keep myself different from all the other Romy writers…as in I don't let them get too happy around me. I'm thrilled you enjoyed this and hope you keep reading.
Thanks again everyone…