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Post by Pasiphaë on Apr 12, 2007 20:55:32 GMT -5
"I swear to the gods, you idiot beast! If you don't move-"
No such fortune was afforded to her. The horse remained stock-still on one of the rocky slabs of cliff near the ground. It wasn't a very large step to take, but the animal was stubborn. Pasiphae did not often venture into the Spartan cliffline, for it was wrought with wolves after dark, and she knew well it would irritate the older soldiers to have any interference in training the young ones. But it was midday, and she had decided to take one of the horses out to graze. Pasiphae enjoyed the silence and the leisure afforded to her here. No visitors, no well-wishers, no servants.
But now! Now when she was wearied and the day was more than halfspent, Pasiphae attempted to guide the dark creature along the narrow strip of rock she'd climbed - and the animal would not budge. Leaving her here, pushing at its flank and cursing vehemently. This was not a fine evening to her day.
"I will...geld you...skin you...myself! Feed you to Ares' dogs. Better yet! Horse meat. Wouldn't that make a nice dinner? You...dumb...wretch!" The horse snorted in response. Apparently her threats were not particularly frightening.
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Post by Lysander on Apr 12, 2007 21:12:58 GMT -5
"Hmm...seems to me like your beast should be shipped to Athens, seeing that it's as useless as the Athenians, and that is saying much," said a warm voice which appeared to be behind Pasiphaë. Behind her stood a man wearing a blood red cape which moved with the wind. This man was clad in golden armour which glimered under the light of the sun. He had a muscular figure and had hadsome features. A Spartan.
The Spartan pulled out his blade and made a thrusting motion as if to freighten the horse as the blade reflected the sun's light. The beast's eyes showed cowardice and it moved instantly. The Spartan grinned and put his spatha down. "I see it is also as much of a coward as the Athenians."
It was then when the Spartan looked directly at the lady's eyes and he instantly recognized her beauty. The Spartan couldn't take his eyes of her so he said, "I am honoured, my lady, to be in the presence of one so fair. Please be kind enough to give me your name."
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Post by Pasiphaë on Apr 12, 2007 21:56:41 GMT -5
Pasiphae was surprised; she glanced over her shoulder to see a Spartan, a fine speciman of soldier. Golden armor covered a muscular form, taut with training and strength which could not be compared - one did easily mistake a Spartan man for an Athenian. Thank the gods - it was a blessing.
She laughed, despite her frustration, and nodded in assent. "Indeed. So it would seem...he has more in common with the boy lovers." Pasiphae stepped back as the Spartan used his sword to scare the horse down. He was clever.
"I thank you, soldier, for your assistance," she replied, with marked amusement. His sense of humor was refreshing; there were some Spartans who did not have that sort of wit, and Pasiphae found it endearing. The Greek smiled her gratitude for his compliment. Indeed, he was as fine a man as any in Sparta, his face in particular was quite striking.
"I am Pasiphae." She shook her head slightly. "I do not recognize you, forgive me." Some of the soldiers she knew, others not so much. Since her husband had died, Pasiphae had little to do with the army. "Your name, soldier? Dare I ask what tasks bring you out here this day?"
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Post by Lysander on Apr 13, 2007 19:55:52 GMT -5
The Spartan's eyebrows were raised in surprise. Of course, Pasiphae. How could he have forgotten that name and such beauty?
"Please, my lady, correct me if I'm wrong. Aren't you the widow of Linus, the great warrior, friend, and Spartan who led me in times of madness? If you are, you must know that I feel honoured to have fought at his side and feel honoured to be in your presence today," he said with sincerety in his eyes. "You don't know me, beautiful Pasiphae, but I know you because every day the brave Linus would speak of you and I believe I saw you on one or two ocassions."
The Spartan smiled warmly at Pasiphae circling the horse calmly once or twice. "Oh...forgive me, Fair One, but your beauty has robbed me of my name. I am known as Lysander and I am here simply for a walk across the place where I so many times walked when I was younger. But I must ask, what are you doing in this part of the city?"
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Post by Pasiphaë on Apr 13, 2007 20:39:10 GMT -5
Pasiphae was stunned. So much so, even some of her Spartan countenance failed. She was surprised, and proud. Indeed, she needn't grieve, for his memory was untarnished. It was a great honor to her, as well, having married a man of such repute, and it gave her great pleasure that he had not been forgotten.
"Lysander," she repeated, tilting her head to follow his movements around the horse, "I thank you for your words. I have not spoken of Linus in many months -" It was gratitude which spilled from her lips. She hadn't addressed her husband's death with anyone, and that he was remembered pleased her.
"It is a great honor for me as well, to meet one of the men who fought alongside him. He spoke often that no man had ever had soldiers as brave and loyal as those he raised his shield with." And she believed Lysander to be one of them.
Pasiphae gave a rueful smile at his question. "I find, at times, to be away from the city provides a clear mind. It is good for thinking, particularly...with what is to come." The Persian threat had more than one soldier on edge, and the tension was nearly unbearable.
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Post by Lysander on Apr 13, 2007 21:14:30 GMT -5
"Your words overwhelm me, my lady," Lysander said with a gentle smile. "I find no greater satisfaction in knowing that I served Linus well." He had always thought Linus was a greater Spartan than any other he had known and Lysander had always had the most respect for him.
"You must know, beautiful Pasiphae that your husband had a death worthy of a Spartan. He died fighting many enemies and I still feel ashamed of not being able to protect him. I slaughtered all the Persians who had managed to kill such a great man but I was too late to keep him alive so I believe it is my duty now to apologize to you," Lysander said.
Lysander's head went down with a saddened look on his face. Linus had been an inspiration for him and he felt responsible for his death. "Please forgive me."
He then lifted his head to look at Pasiphae who sat on her steed in order to see and hear what she had to say. He just hoped she wouldn't feel mad at him. Lysander had carried this emotional burden ever since Linus' death and hoped he could be forgiven by none other than his wife.
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Post by Pasiphaë on Apr 13, 2007 21:36:15 GMT -5
Pasiphae was touched by the Spartan's apology, and the description of her husband's death...it did make her proud. He was a warrior, and, as with all of the army, he had but one lady to whom he owed allegiance. Sparta. Pasiphae knew she was secondary to the state, and accepted it. That Lysander would hold such a burden did grieve her, and when he looked up, the Spartan woman smiled.
Pasiphae leaned forward, the horse cowed into silence by the presence of the Spartan soldier, and she lay her hand atop his head, fingers sifting through the golden blond hair. The touch was meant to be comforting.
"It was the will of the gods, son of Sparta," she reminded him, "there is nothing to forgive. Linus died honorably, and that is all that I could ask for."
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Post by Lysander on Apr 13, 2007 21:52:22 GMT -5
"You are wise as you are beautiful, Lady Pasiphae," Lysander responded. "Your words and your touch are the best gifts that could be given to me at this time."
He gave her a charming smile, making eye contact with her once more. "I thank you for your kindness, but currently there are other matters at hand. Sparta is in the brink of war with Persia and soon there will be blood shed. Leonidas has already requested 300 men to go fight the Persian troops. I would do anything to serve my country this way but I have not been allowed to go since I lack a son to follow my blood line."
"What are your opinions on this matter, my lady?" Lysander asked her.
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Post by Pasiphaë on Apr 14, 2007 20:35:48 GMT -5
He was charming, but her smile faded at his following words. Pasiphae sighed. "I have heard of this." That fool Xerxes was gathering troops-this she knew, and it was rumored his army was the largest in the world! He had his sights set on Greece, but he would never have Sparta. They-and she- would die before submitting.
Pasiphae was surprised. "You have no son? You are not married? I had...assumed..." Naturally, she thought a Spartan such as himself would have married already. While she thought Leonidas' choice was wise, to limit his soldiers to whose who had children to carry on the line, that it should prevent him...
"I am sorry, Lysander...but surely you do not wish your line to pass away, should you perish?" It was difficult, to be sure.
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Post by Lysander on Apr 14, 2007 20:57:20 GMT -5
Lysander was impressed at Pasiphae's concern for him. No one had ever showned so much care for him ever before. It made him feel...joy. But he had to push away the emotion as it was common for any Spartan. Emotions were looked down upon.
"The truth is I don't care about having a son to carry on my bloodline. All I want is to die for Sparta and with honour just like Linus did, but I can't, not this time." Lysander said. He had yet one year left to be married, seeing that all Spartans must marry by the age of twenty.
"I still have nineteen years of age, my lady and still one year more before marriage but I hope to die before that. I live for no one but Sparta and having nothing to lose in my life keeps me strong." These were Lysanders words and he needed to see what Pasiphae had to say about them.
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Post by wowposter on Nov 3, 2008 2:28:30 GMT -5
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