Warrior Maidens
Chapter 3
Circe ordered her two blonde companions to begin their work immediately after their formal greetings. It didn't take very long for them to find what they were looking for. Or, more accurately, to have what they were looking for find them. After speaking a few ancient incantations the rest of the fragments and bits of dust flew from their hiding places and found their way into the redheaded witch's palm. As the pieces levitated, they shifted around to create as much of their original form as possible. Gaps and fissures where the metal had been warped were filled with a purple translucent energy.
"This is a modern work of man. It is neither magical nor ancient." Circe devised. "Being as such, I can not tell you completely of its nature. However, I can create an instrument that will guide you to the last person who held the weapon with mal-intent." Upon hearing this Diana grew concerned. It opened up the possibility that perhaps she had not been the intended target after all. Hippolyta had reached a similar conclusion as well, but it didn't take away from other potentially threatening scenarios and only added to them. Twin expressions of well hidden apprehension made the resemblance between the two women even more remarkable than usual.
Circe walked to the group of objects her apprentices had brought with them and began selecting suitable pieces. After her collection was complete she whispered more ancient words over each item until they merged into one magically glowing object. Droplets of sweat gathered at her brow from the intense focus and energy the task required. "Take this Princess, it will lead you to those responsible for planting the device." Circe handed Diana the newly created crystal ball. Inside was the man's world device transfixed to a broken arrow, its pieces still held together by magical energy. To test it out she moved her arm back and forth parallel to the floor. No matter which direction she held the ball, the arrow moved against it, always pointing in the same direction.
"Thank you Circe, the talents of your coven have proven invaluable once again." The queen complimented while looking around the room. She took in the few hunks of charred marble that lay shattered on the floor. It could have been much worse but thankfully her daughter has incredible reflexes. "Allow us to fix the place up, your majesty. It will take but a few hours." The blonde, brown eyed witch offered. "I am grateful for your consideration, sister." The blonde bowed and the three began their work.
With the rituals completed and more questions yet to be answered, the two Amazon royals made their way toward the invisible jet to say their goodbyes to one another before Diana departed on her next official mission. The marble architecture reflected golden light from well placed torches, leaving perfectly geometric shadows in its absence while giving the outside of the palace a safe yet exhilarating ambiance. "You have proven yourself most skilled in recent battles, my daughter. Do not allow that to sway your judgment while facing the unknown and you will surely succeed in your quest." The two women embraced for the second time that day. "I will return as soon as my mission is completed, mother. Please say goodbye to Artemis for me."
Blue fire from the jet's engine lit up the night. Hippolyta watched as the light became smaller and smaller until it finally disappeared. "She left already? Is that a good thing?" Artemis asked upon her arrival at the queen's side. Hippolyta filled her in on the events and discoveries of the past hour or so. "Now what do we do for two hours?" Artemis asked while the two walked along the shore under a starry sky and full moon. The entire island and its surrounding ocean were shrouded in sapphire hues with the exception of the acropolis which shown in a brilliant gold.
"I am sure there are some activities that we could lose ourselves in for a suitable amount of time." Hippolyta implied. The coastal wind blew through her long black hair, which was still down from their earlier sparring session. "Right, we must prepare in case of battle.", the determined redhead suggested. "It is an endeavor truly blessed that which gathers your attentions, my dear Artemis, but I think the precautions we have taken will suffice should we be attacked from outside forces." While explaining this, the queen took Artemis's hand in her own. They were no longer walking and stood facing each other, looking into each other's eyes. She lifted the redhead's wrist to her mouth and placed a gentle kiss there. Blue eyes watched green for any sign of disapproval, what she found there was quite the opposite.
Hippolyta felt finger tips caress her cheek and tilt her chin upward. Artemis stepped forward and captured the raven haired beauty's lips with her own. The queen felt the red-haired woman's tongue tease her bottom lip, begging for entrance. After a thousand years of waiting the redhead was not disappointed in the slightest.
Artemis felt herself being led to the ground. The kiss never broken, she lay partially atop Hippolyta, whose long purple cloak acted as a barrier between the sand and their bodies. She opened her eyes a fraction. Moon light bathed the queen in its silver glow highlighting perfect, breathtakingly exquisite feminine features. Her heart ached from the sight of such radiance. Her eyes slid closed once again and her limbs grew weak as she finally allowed herself this long awaited surrender to eternal love.
To be continued…