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Post by Anhurit and Kahotep on Mar 19, 2007 13:33:34 GMT -5
In a letter addressed to Leonidas, enclosed with a silver cartouche, symbol of the pharaoh.
"I don't like this, m'lady." Kahotep muttered in her ear, his eyes shifting suspiciously around the hostile Spartan glares. They all looked in pretty good condition, and he kept as close to Anhurit as possible without being offensive. His left hand rested on the handle of his scimitar. By Ra, he had the urge to swipe it in the direction of those bulked up Spartan scum. Greeks. Pah.
Anhurit was dressed in traditional Egyptian garb, a white cotton tunic that reached her ankles. Sleeveless. A shoulder-length cloak, shimmering gray, with a knotted fringe was tossed over her shoulders, under which she wore a copper and malachite ankh, and lapis lazuli amulets on silver threads around her neck. Her ears were pierced with dangling silver jewelry, the beads green glass; it would have matched her headpiece, but she wasn't wearing one. She didn't rule anymore. Instead, her straight black hair fell around her shoulders, framing her face, kohl lined eyes and a haggard appearance.
Although you couldn't tell - not yet, anyway, she was pregnant. Her husband was dead, but she was determined to carry on his legacy. Anhurit subconsciously kept her hands close to her belly protectively. She looked up to Kah, and gave a brief smile.
"We don't have a choice." They had nothing to go home to if the Persians won. The nearer she got to the palace, the more the Spartans seemed to stare - until finally, she and her guard were stopped.
"What business do you have here?" a Spartan soldier demanded in Greek. Anhurit couldn't help but stare at the sword at his waist. A little on the scared side. She glanced at Kahotep, who gave a slight shrug. She hoped King Leonidas would see her; if not, this venture was fruitless indeed.
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Post by King Leonidas I on Mar 19, 2007 15:10:08 GMT -5
Upon receiving the message, Leonidas looked at it and exclaimed "Bah! I have more important things to worry about than Egyptian strife!".
He was ready to tear the letter up when his advisor's stepped before him and bowed. One dressed in a crimson red robe looked to his master. He was an aged, but wise man.
"My king, an enemy of our enemy is our friend. It would be to our benefit to allow her at the least a short audience. The Egyptians can be used in our war against Persia." this adviser was one of the more trusting and kind ones other advisers though had different opinions.
"My lord, this is a great opportunity! We could exchange this princess for Greece's freedom. No doubt Xerxes would want the princess and an heir to the rebellious Egyptian throne at his side." Said this adviser in his white cloak.
At this Leonidas almost slapped the man. "How dare you allude to Sparta disgracing a guest like this and handing her over to our enemy. This would only strengthen Xerxes position and rule. I will see what this princess has to say, it had best be important. We cannot let those boy lovers in Athens show us up!"
One of Leonidas's captains looked to his lord, "My lord it is true, should the Egyptians put up a large enough fight, Xerxes will have to sent troops to put them down. And fighting a war on two fronts is never advised. This may also lead to other rebellions within the so called "God-King's" land.
Leonidas nodded, soon he would be face to face with the Persian war machine and any edge he could get would be helpful.
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When she arrives
Leonidas was looking over a map of Thermopylae when the Princess arrived. He put down his pen and went to step out side. The sun was hot, and his heavy cloak did not help. He stepped down the stairs of the Palace to where the Princess was being interrogated by his guard. He threw up his arms in a friendly gesture.
"Ahh friends of Sparta. Welcome, welcome. Please come in"
He extended his muscular arm toward the palace where they could talk in private.
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Post by Anhurit and Kahotep on Mar 19, 2007 15:32:24 GMT -5
"See?" she asked, shielding the sun from her eyes with one hand. She looked up to Kahotep. A little smugly. He looked unconvinced.
"After you, m'lady." He was paranoid; then again, it was why she was still alive. Anhurit glared at the guard who'd been interrogating them. "Excuse us," she muttered under her breath, stepping around him and offering an even smile in response to the king's greeting. She gathered up her dress as she took to the steps to meet him, and to presumably enter the palace.
"King Leonidas, I presume?" she said, with a modest half nod, "I've heard of you, and the gossipers did not exaggerate." He was the epitome of what she'd heard - the leader, hunter. The thorn in Xerxes' side. Anhurit smiled again. "I cannot begin to express my..."
She hesitated, and glanced at Kahotep, who supplied, "gratitude." Her Greek was not great, per se, but she managed, haltingly.
"Yes, gratitude. For such short notice. Egypt will not forget this." Regardless of whether or not she received help, Anhurit was in earnest. It had been a blasted headache to even get this much from the squabbling Athenians.
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Post by King Leonidas I on Mar 21, 2007 22:48:28 GMT -5
Leonidas made way for the Egyptians, he had only seen a few in his life time and admired their dress. Sparta would welcome any enemies of Persia as friends. Leonidas felt that he had to secure allies for SParta so when the day came that he was to fall in combat, Sparta would not be alone. The shade of the palace was releaving from the heat of the sun, Leonidas cared little though, his training had made him able to endure any weather.
"I thank you, Spartans leave a great impact on those they meet. Sparta is honored to accept the Egyptians."
Once they were inside he began to make his way to the center of the palace, his sandals made slight echos on the floor as he walked, the palace was empty and the parties were free to talk in peace.
"Now what is it that you have to say?"
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Post by Anhurit and Kahotep on Mar 22, 2007 8:22:35 GMT -5
Kahotep gave Anhurit space to speak in peace, trailing behind the duo. The Egyptian took the opportunity to study the Greek architecture; she admired the style. Now, this wasn't a pyramid, but it was still very impressive. The corridor Leonidas led her down was empty, save the faint sound of footsteps. She glanced at the king for his question, looked back to her hands, and gathered her wits for what to say.
"I realize that…we have no longstanding treaty to claim, for Egypt and Greece have never been...that close, but I do believe that we share a common enemy - that is, the…Persian menace. Even now, they tear down our monuments and desecrate our temples. They have all but eliminated the royal family…” She hesitated, before admitting, “with the exception of a few, and those are driven underground like animals." As Xerxes perverted with his Persian ingrates the temples of her homeland. It was enough to make her want to spit in his face.
She took one slow, breath, trying to regain her confidence. “We have gone to Athens to beg for naval assistance, but they refuse. The…Athenians wish to avoid fighting - but surely they know how useless that is. To refuse Xerxes is certain death. This isn't...a time for their philosophy, their diplomacy." She looked at Leonidas, "But if you, Spartans, protectors of Greece, agree to shield Egypt as well, perhaps it would…convince the Athenians that we are not dead yet. There is still a chance that Egypt can be restored."
Or so she was hopeful. “My brother," Anhurit continued, "the rightful king of Egypt, asks for your backing. He sends me as an assurance to you, a gesture of good faith between Egypt and Greece. He is willing to share all the resources that can be spared from Egypt, and I am the guarantee that he will not defect to Persia - should you agree to be our ally.” Anhurit stopped walking, then, and, twisting a part of her dress between her fingers anxiously, she studied the Spartan king. What would he say? If she received the same rejection she got from the Athenians, it would be over.
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Post by King Leonidas I on Mar 22, 2007 13:42:58 GMT -5
Leonidas listened to the Egyptian closely, going through the things she said in his mind. The Athenians, Sparta's greatest rival, but now much needed friend. As history had proven, the one way to band together the forces of Greece was to give her a common enemy. IF the Greeks all see they have something to lose, they join together and defeat thier foe, only to go back to their petty squabbaling. He hoped that he could rally Greece against this new Persian menace just as Greece banded together to fight his father. Athens was actually the cause of Xerxes comming invasion. The Athenians push of the Greek states in Anatolia (Turkey) to revolt for freedom drew Xerxes here to punish Athens. Leonidas only hoped that when Xerxes army stepped foot on Greek lands, the Athenians would take responsibility and go to defend themselves.
When the Egyptian finished speaking they were at the door to the main chamber of the palace. A guard opened the door and allowed them entrance into the beautiful room. Servants offered the King and his guests wine and grapes. Leonidas took one of the cup and took a sip.
"Tell your brother....." he hesitated and look to the woman, took another sip and continued, "Sparta is now his friend. It is my policy to accept enemies of Persia as brothers. I can do little though as Sparta will take her armies to defend our land. I will do what I can, but it is not much. I would advise you to hire mercenaries from the colonies of Greece, purchase slaves and turn them into warriors. We Greeks fight as free men. Perhaps one day, the free men of Greece will have dominion over the Perisans."
After saying this he turned to put his empty cup on a platter and moved towards his throne.
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Post by Anhurit and Kahotep on Mar 26, 2007 16:00:07 GMT -5
Anhurit nodded; she was not surprised. She knew that it would come to this, that Sparta would have to defend herself first.
"It is just enough to know that Sparta is our ally. We do not lack so much manpower as..." She hesitated, following him into the throne room. But refused the proferred wine. "...confidence. Our men lack confidence." Enslaved for so long, she could hardly blame them.
"I will take your advice under consideration," Anhurit replied. Mercenaries - that was a good idea. She only hoped that Egypt had the resources to train them. Interesting concept. As Leonidas moved towards his throne, Anhurit had nothing further. Most urgent was to contact her brother.
"I thank you for your time," she said, excusing herself finally. She paused before turning away, however. "If it does not offend you, King Leonidas, I request permission to stay in Sparta, for a few days at least. To get my affairs in order."
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Post by King Leonidas I on Mar 26, 2007 16:19:43 GMT -5
Leonidas laid back in his throne, happy to be off his feet. He had little to say to this woman. He had secured another ally for Sparta and strengthened Spartan influence in the world. Perhaps one day Sparta could rule the world, this thought he would not speak of to anyone, especially a foreigner fighting for her freedom. He nodded at the woman's talk of confidence. Greece was bursting with confidence, they are a proud stubborn race that would not be held down by Xerxes.
"Confidence you say, When Sparta is free I will march a contingent into Egypt to fight along side you. With our victory in Greece, this should provide a great deal of confidence to your people." He thought it was sad that Xerxes had so much control in Egypt that he had began to control their minds. If Xerxes conquered Sparta, he may control the land but never the people.
"Granted. You may stay in Sparta as long as you wish. You may have a guest room in my palace." was his reply to her final question. He would see that her stay in Sparta was a safe and memorable of Sparta's willingness and devotion to her new ally.
(ooh no misspellings found. thats a first usually I have one or two.)
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Post by wowposter on Nov 3, 2008 2:25:44 GMT -5
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