For this chapter, it is advisable to read the story of the Great Betrayal from Santrakian mythology first. It will not be necessary to understand what is going on, but it will be helpful 😉 - ₪ ₪₪ 66th sun after the plague. 26th sun after Penthesilea’s arrival. ₪₪ ₪ - Penthesilea is 45, Protego 48, Serkon 49 Lyta is 23, Phyllis 16, Faidra 29, Cass 20, Deia 7, Eos 6 and Thersandros 28 Phyllis’ clear voice echoed through the retreat of the royal family of Dekanos. The young royal couple of Borathion, scholar Amaunet and seer Adahy had claimed the room offside the jolly feast. Serkon had bid to celebrate the end of wine harvest. It was a strange circle that had found themselves, seeking out stories rather than people that day. The listeners’ eyes were glued to the princess’ lips. “...so in the last, decisive battle, Virtue left her sisters to challenge Andros and Freedom in head-to-head fight. The duel lasted for days.” “Finally, the traitors were overpowered and killed. Yet, blinded with elation, Virtue became careless. Forgetting her own mortality, the godly heroine mocked the defeated couple. In his last moments, Andros raised his weapon and dealt her a serious wound.” “Trying to retrieve her helpless sister from the enemy, Justice fell victim to a flurry of arrows. Epigonos had sent them, the son of the traitors Freedom and Andros. Against merciless death, even the Goddess’s powers fade.” “So, in deep grief, Loyalty healed Virtue while Epigonos and his treacherous followers escaped. With the last remains of their divine spark, the two daughters of the Goddess scattered their children and children’s children all over the world.” “Never again should their bloodlines be reunited with that of the traitor, Freedom. For then, the four joint bloodlines would awaken the godlike powers again. Then, their union would create the most magnificent warrioress of all time. A warrioress that would either save the Amazon way of life or destroy it.” Phyllis took a deep breath and looked around one eagerly. Adahy stood still, eyes fixed on the princess. The seer's face was blank of expression, the mouth hang open a little. Amaunet moved around, trying to slip off the spell. “Phyllis. Why did they fight?” Aoide looked at the princess earnestly. “They- I mean, they had to, right? Andros and Freedom wanted to kill all allies of the Goddess.” Aoide shook her head. “Andros could have told the Goddess that he felt exploited and neglected. He wouldn’t have needed to betray her. And the divine daughters, battling their own sister? What a nightmare.” She turned to Herchion. “I have never understood why humans lead wars. What would ever outweigh the price of a human life?” Phyllis’ eyes began to moisten. “Oh, it’s alright,” Amaunet rushed to reassure her. “It was a lovely story.” “Indeed, a grand tale. And remarkably narrated.” Adahy nodded apprehensively. Phyllis beamed at the seer. “Thank you! But I’m afraid that some day soon, I’ll run out of stories.” “Running out of stories?” Amaunet smiled amiably. “It would be a pleasure to tell you some of mine, my princess.” “It’s my lady, and- Oh, that would be great! Your stories are a-ma-zing! But I wouldn’t ever be able to recount them as well as you.” “That’s the fate of storytellers. We need our stories to resonate with us, otherwise we will not be able to awaken them. In order to find the stories that speak to you, you might need to work through many more.” The Al Simharan threw Aoide an asking look. “My lady, do you think that king Alexander will allow the princess to use the Arythion library?” “There are many reports from ancient times. They might prove useful to piece a great tale together.” The queen of Borathion pondered about it for a moment. “I’m sure Alexander would not object to me having a research assistant, would he?” She exchanged a glance with her husband. “I would learn your- our tribes’ culture faster if I had someone to outline their history for me.” “I will ask him politely if my wife may bring a helping hand. We don’t have to tell him right away who that hand is.” “Thank you.” Aoide smiled at him. Phyllis clapped her hands. “Ooooooh, I’m going to see the Arythion library! Lyta goes there to read dusty old scriptures about tactics and- and- well, they’re boring. I didn’t know they had other texts there, too!” All of a sudden, her elation was blown away. “But- how will I learn about all the stories written there? I can’t read.” Aoide put a finger on her lips. “Well, for now… Amaunet could read them out for you. She did that for me but one of my slaves is literate, too. I assume we won’t have to ask for him to accompany me. He should not count. And,” she turned to Amaunet, “that way, you could pursue your own studies more profoundly. Phyllis’ field of interest seems to match yours better than mine.” Amaunet smiled at her. “Thank you, my lady. I enjoyed assisting to you. However, since you wish it, I will gladly teach princess Phyllis the art of reading.” “Yesssss, I’m so stoked! We’ll have lots and lots of fun together in the library! But-,” she looked around. “What about Adahy? Can’t she come with us? Can you ask Alexander for permission for her to accompany us, too?” “It’s alright,” the seer assured. “Since my queen is king Alexander’s vassal, I am free to go to the library. I rely on their records of divine signs and the stars’ movements.” A mischievous grin stole onto Aoide’s face. “Well, then it’s all settled. Let’s sneak a princess into Alexander’s library.”
4 Comments
candy
7/24/2022 02:01:13 pm
aww phyllis! 💖 she's such a sweetheart. it's interesting that she's curious to learn and read stories, instead of wanting to fight like one would expect from an amazon.
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7/26/2022 02:12:40 pm
She is! 💖 She always wants to help and is always dreaming. For now, it's okay since she isn't grown up yet.
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Maladi
7/25/2022 02:06:26 am
You know these names like Justice and Freedom remind me of a game called Path of Exile. There are these deities with names like Purity, Innocence... And there's also a very interesting idea to be found in the lore of the game: when a powerful god or a god-like being dies/perishes, there's always something else that will take their place. Something completely new or something/someone who used to be irrelevant but suddenly becomes more powerful, because the power vacuum must be always filled.
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7/26/2022 02:17:29 pm
That's a fascinating concept... I might want to take a look into that game once I have time lol (never, apparently?)
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