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Post by Alcander on Jan 9, 2008 13:36:55 GMT -5
Amazed Alcander watched the statue and temple of Athena as huge it was, it impressed him by every sight he took although as his wife wished to pray, he lot go of her hand. Curiously he watched her with a smile, as he saw she prayed for a safe journey to Rome. Soon she was to be sent together on travel with others, to seek alliance with the kingdom in east. With deep wishes he wanted it all to go well, something he wished also to pray about as his loved wife was to leave him shortly. Interested he watched them pray before the goddess of Athens, however as they so did he himself went to speak with other priests close by. "I wish to speak with the oracle, I have questions to ask?"He spoke and asked, wanting to hear from Athena herself what she saw in future.
The priest then spoke in return to their king, whispering as quiet the temple had to be."Of course my king, but what do you offer as gift for this curtain wish?"He asked, waiting for the king to answer. Almost as high respected like kings the priest were, cause close they were the gods they served."I will give you gold as thanks, would that be enough?"The king whispered and saw the priest agreed. As Daphne prayed at the alter, he went over and sat down beside her while the temple prepared the oracle to speak.
Whispering he prayed for his wife save journey, and the future of Athens. He just hoped Athena would answer their prays as much of it were needed in the days to come, the world was changing and alliances were taking form. If Athens did not follow then they would fall, Alcander only wished what was best for his people and wife.
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Post by Daphne on Jan 9, 2008 14:09:18 GMT -5
Daphne did hear her husband was talking to a priest, but she was too concentrated on her prayers and honours for Athene. She was deep in her own thoughts, centered deep in herself to speak with the goddess.
She heared the priestesses beside her whispering in her prayers, so did Alcander, but she was in almost a kind of trance and so unable to follow their words or to concentrate on any other of her senses. All her concentration lay in herself and she shut out the outer world from her feelings or impressions. She let herself fall into the darkness that surrounded her, and she fell for an eternity, only concentrated on her deepest wishes which then were laid bare for the gods to see as she pleaded for it to become true.
This was how she communicated with the gods, let them know of her pleads and innermost feelings. It was never sure the gods or goddesses would help those who plead to them for sure, it just increased the hopes for those who prayed, and so did it for Daphne. Her hope for a safe journey to Rome made her feel stronger, and protected by Athene herself.
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Post by Alcander on Jan 9, 2008 14:29:12 GMT -5
As Daphne were deep in trance by praying to the goddess Athena, he himself kept on as well. However he did not enter a trance like his wife, cause more different she was then him. Years ago the priests told that she was the child of Athena, but not fully was it to be believed. She was very talented indeed and often was she right about what she spoke, whenever he needed help she was there to answer him. Wisdom she surely got and beautiful she looked as well, the dress she had put on made him love her greater even he always had.
As she were gone in prays, he finished and stood up. Gracefully he backed away from the alter, but waited for his queen to be finished so they together could speak with the oracle waiting on them to come. Many questions was to be answered, as a lot were to happen. Alcander just hoped it all would turn well for them all in the time to come, hoping that Athena would bless them greatly as many times they prayed for her kindness.
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Post by Daphne on Jan 9, 2008 14:44:38 GMT -5
With a sudden inner jerk, Daphne returned to reality. She felt as if she had taken a short nap and now felt totally refreshed and full of new hope. Although the gods or Athene have not spoken to her, have not answered her in words, she knew that they were listening to her pleads.
She slowly got up and turned, taking in the magnificent view of the temple once more before she saw Alcander, waiting for her. She walked towards him, but had no words to say or to ask. To talk to the gods was a very personal doing, intimate for all feelings are opened and questioned, and one's mine is strengthened. She would not ask Alcander what he had experienced during their stay here, or for how long they have been inside the temple now. She would let him talk first.
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Post by Alcander on Jan 9, 2008 15:10:24 GMT -5
"Now, how did it go?"Alcander asked whispering as his wife Daphne came over, she was finished praying and it seemed it had relieved her more. Earlier the both of them had been stressed and worried, however being in the temple of Athena had made them relaxed. Gentle he smiled back at her, watching her curiously as he wondered how she was doing. Inside the next room smoke rose, as the oracle were soon able to speak. Glory Alcander wished for Athens to have, cause with great power comes greater responsibility. He as the new king, wished to make the kingdom different then any before seen. Whatever it took he would secure the people and the land, together with the wife he loved.
"My king, the oracle is waiting. What questions do you wish to ask?"A priest came up to them speaking, wishing them to come into the room close by as answers soon were to be given. Slightly Alcander nodded to the priest, telling he would come and with gentle steps he together with Daphne walked to the oracle waiting for them. Instead of answering the priest, he would let his wife ask the first question to ask her favorite goddess. Curious and worried he now was, as they soon were to talk with the goddess of Athens.
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Post by Daphne on Jan 10, 2008 13:54:05 GMT -5
"I can only hope, my love, with praying nothing is for certain." Daphne said, in a little tired voice. Praying was exhausting for her, opening her to other, higher species as gods like she did it was not easy. But this feeling gave her the hope that the gods would help giving in to her prayers.
She followed Alcander in with the priest to the oracle. Of course, they would not be allowed anywhere near the girl who was the oracle, so not to influence her. Neither they would even be able to see her. The priest would return to them again with the god's answer to Alcander's question, whatever it was. When he did not ask a question, she asked her husband "Will you not ask?" She herself had all questions banned out of her mind, she had no more to ask.
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Post by Alcander on Jan 10, 2008 15:18:08 GMT -5
Alcander smiled and nodded gentle to his wife before he walked to the priest that stood waiting on them to come, as they came over and stopped the oracle had started to move inside the room. "As you wish my love, I then will ask."He said answering, but turned sonly to the priest as he asked what future could bring. Curious in what the gods had in mind for them, if it were good or bad. He at least, just hoped it were something good that would happen although he had a feeling that bad news too would come.
After the priest heard the question, he went inside as the king and queen had to wait outside on their answer to be given. Smoke within rose as it started to wrap the chosen oracle woman in threads of mist, quickly she moved but calmed down as time went. When she laid silent, a priest went over to hear the answer. Whispering she spoke, only him to hear but as such was given he spoke."Athena grants you great victory in future to come....you will rise...enemies you gain....relationships appears, but good will come...honor the gods..."He said as the oracle spoke along, but finished shortly before him as the royals listened close by.
Shocking the words was as much of it was not as expected, enemies would come he was sure of but not that relationships appears. Hopefully it was talk about their children and not them self, cause greatly he loved his wife and never would he wish to split apart from her. However he did not know about her, maybe she was destined to be with someone else, soon she at least were to travel far and much could happen even he believed everything would go well.
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Post by Daphne on Jan 11, 2008 14:34:45 GMT -5
Daphne waited for her husband to ask the question and get the answer of the Oracle in return. She leaned against a wall nearby, looking up to Athene's eyes once more, wondering what the Oracle would answer to the question of how Daphne's and Alcander's life will continue. Would the Oracle be able to recieve an answer from the gods themselves, or would the priest just make something up, as it happened so often?
The future was a mysterious thing. One may have a destiny, a certain future, and still may try to do anything to prevent it. Yet, preventing itself would cause the foretold destiny to come true. Daphne did not know what her destiny was, if she even had one or if she was so unimportant that the gods would not care any interest for her. Yet, Alcander truly was a high king, one of the important kings history would remember forever and carry on his deeds. Surely the gods would have a plan for him in mind. But was it positive for the married couple as well? Often it was better not to know the future compared to knowing it and fearing it.
At last the priest returned, and told them the words of the Pythia herself, the oracle girl through which it was said the gods spoke. Mostly good news it was, for Athens and Attica, save the enemies. But Daphne did not fully understand what the Pythia could have meant with the relationships, truly Alcander's and her relationship was to last forever, for a very long time? They would not part. She was sure. It just could not be.
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Post by Alcander on Jan 12, 2008 9:24:54 GMT -5
Curious Alcander stood waiting with his queen as the priest spoke with Pythia(oracle) herself, as it was finished and the words were given them it made them all interested. Unexpected some of the news was, however respecting it they did. He at least did not see how new relationships could appear, as he loved Daphne greatly and she the same to him. Long had they been together and for long had they stood trustful to each other, he would do everything for her as she was what was most precious to him. A promise they had given each other, to stay together no matter what until the day both died. The words the goddess came with was unormal, but still Alcander believed in what was said."Interesting words our goddess give today, however on watch we will be for this things to happen. Here, take this and acropolis will be happy."He said whispering and handed out a piece of paper to the priest, telling he gave money to build Acropolis to the greater which would start sonly.
With that being said he smiled and slightly bowed, glad to be given words about what to happen although not all were good news. As it was done he turned to his queen, holding her hands as he told her they were to leave. Silent as the grave they had tried to be in the temple, but as they left they could finally speak as normal again."Now, what you think?"He asked, wondering what she thought as they were finished in the temple.
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Post by Daphne on Jan 12, 2008 13:17:56 GMT -5
"Where did you have the sheet of paper from, so quickly?" Daphne asked curiously when he asked her what she thought. He had surprised her, because they only have spoken to try and work on the Acropolis to build it more strongly and majestically a few minutes ago when they walked up to the main gate. But she was glad, she knew the Acropolis needed repair and rebuilding, as well as more buildings around it. If war would come, the people would all run up to their fortress, the Acropolis, behind which's powers they would be safe.
"And well, if you have nothing more to question the gods, then maybe... we should return? To the palace?" She asked her husband. "If you do not need to work any more, maybe we could have lunch together? Or retire for a few moments from the heat of the Greek midday sun?" She asked on.
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Post by Alcander on Jan 13, 2008 9:07:29 GMT -5
"Well actually, its just a contract about me giving money to the temples so they can find an architect worthy to build this stronger and I had actually thought some of it out before we left."He answered his wife, as curious she had been about the piece of paper he just gave. The temples of Acropolis surely needed to be rebuilt, cause long had it stood without good enough protection. If it was to be built more safe, it surely then had to become great and with a good architect as construction planner.
"I believe it would be best for us to retire a silent day at home, were we are able to rest and eat together."He continued answering, it was good suggestion she had come with though it was up to him and decide what to do. She were lovely and great it was to have her beside him, long had he lingered to be alone with her though finally had the chance as not much happened in Athens the days he now lived. Gracefully with linked arms they stepped out of the palace, scanning the area around as interested they both were in the temples build for their goddess Athena.
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Post by Daphne on Jan 14, 2008 9:08:42 GMT -5
"Ah, alright. So the task to find a fitting architect is then up to the priests? This is not an easy decision, I believe once that it is generally known that an architect is to be found there will be many who wish to be employed as such. It will be a difficult desicion to find the best out of them." Daphne responded, while turning to slowly walk away from the Parthenon again, heading for the the statue of Athene once more, and then to the gates which led down to the city.
She nodded to Alcander's proposal of spending the rest of the day in peace, without any influence of politics, neither inner nor outer. Athens was a peaceful city, not many enemies there were at this moment, however, of course, this could change rapidly again. For now, the people lived their lives in Attika and the other regions whose leaders pledged lifelasting loyalty to Athens, all these people were safe and seemed happy in this Monarchy.
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Post by Alcander on Jan 14, 2008 14:30:27 GMT -5
"Your words are true indeed, it will be difficult to find an architect able to build this place stronger and greater. Although its not only up to us and decide such now, now as the priests got the authority to do so as well."He answered with a smile, agreeing to what she said as most of it were wise told. Great it would be to have Acropolis as it was ones, but better then before. In many years it had endured, threw battles and plague thought always survived. As they spoke to each other, they had started to leave the temples. With a slight nods Alcander and his wife took farewell to the people inside, but guards followed as royals they were. However even Athens were safe, they could never go alone as threats always lingered around their kingdom.
Gracefully they left Acropolis, as the doors behind them closed when they headed for home. The view from the point they stood were beautiful, the sun in the distance was about to go down as evening soon were upon them. Alcander who had left together with his queen, now stopped to watch the sight that meet them. Amazing it looked as the sun went down behind the sea, below them the city of Athens could be seen as on top the biggest mountain they stood. It were great, but not far away their palace stood waiting for them to return."Its a beautiful view isn't it?"Alcander asked his wife, wondering what she though as she stood beside him in the beautiful dress she had put on for the visit they had gone to.
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Post by Daphne on Jan 14, 2008 15:43:58 GMT -5
"Indeed, it is a beautiful view, so far, so that you almost can see the Sea behind these rocks." Daphne pointed to a few green rocks, far on the horizon, where someone might think a blue line lies behind these rocks, the Sea. "I can be really proud to be the queen of this land." She spoke on, half to herself. From where she stood now, almost the whole city of Athens could be overviewed, the many coloured houses and small theaters and temples. Behind, soft green hills surrounded the city and small valleys allowed to look further beyond, one valley would lead to the Sea, others to the most different places in whole Greece.
With her arm attached to Alcander's, she now began to walk again, slowly, and dragged him away, further down the path, towards the palace. She was tired still and wished to get out of the heat that the sun sent directly towards them. A little rest and peace would do her just fine, in the cool rooms and chambers of their palace.
(Maybe we should continue in the Palace thread or in our own chambers now, or skip to a scene a little later?)
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Post by Alcander on Jan 15, 2008 14:01:37 GMT -5
(yes well we could jump to when they arrive their bed chamber maybe, or what you think? ) Alcander gentle nodded to his wife as she spoke the fine words she said, it was true indeed. The land they owned were surely great, as rich and amazing it was. To rule it with Daphne was an honor as wise and beautiful she were, he loved her more then anything the world possessed. Seeing her beside him made him happy, cause in deep love he were in her. After the words she spoke, he saw she wanted go on and therefor followed but with linked arms as gentle they were. The steps from Acropolis were made of stone, placed into the ground for people and wagons to follow. However great it looked as gardens around them surrounded every path they went, trees with apples and more could be seen as still they walked on. "Indeed, our land surely is great. However your greater."He said with a smile, as he turned to look at his wife again. She were lovely were she walked beside him, she made him happy and without her he surely would had been lost. Gracefully they both walked down to their palace, but finally arrived and entered it after a short moment of walking together.
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