The Grand Gardens of Lesbos

[Circae]

The gardens of Lesbos are in front of the royal palace. Circae can be found here often when she is not lazing round in her palace. There are fruit trees that bear fruits in the right seasons. As being a garden it has grand flowers of all kinds of colors and types. Being the Governess' garden they are the most rare and beautiful kind.

[Ismene]

Ismene, being the General of the forces of Lesbos, was always welcomed to wander about in the Palace's gardens since she loved nature so much. for not only did she train the body but also the mind. It was said that wherever she looked, her fire lighted everything in fire, but that was just another myth concerning her, believed to being daughter of Ares, because of her fury in battle and determination, but she was a woman like any other.
Her dress was of a light green which extended till her ankles but in different edges, for not all the edges of her dress were of the same size, some were smaller than others but never revealing more than her legs. It was held by sleeveless edges on each arm and the back seemed almost fully exposed. Her long hair was arranged on her back, but still some hair moved freely with the wind's soft caress.

She walked amidst the gardens, smelling some flowers, from time to time, as if Aphrodite herself had blessed there gardens with the beauty that could captivate anybody's heart and eyes. She had time on her own now, for she was barely ever disturbed, and she was always allowed to go there. She smiled, everyone loved the governess, so friendly and fair. All Ismene wished for was to please her and Lesbos in every way possible. She sat by a bank of fish, on a rick, and smiled looking at them as they ate and swam around, aware of her presence. It was a warm day, as if Helios himself decided to dwell in Lesbos for a time, gracing it with his light and spleandour.

[Jason]

Jason, the prince of Lebsos was also walking in the gardens as company he seeked among others. Many times were he bored inside the palace, and sometimes it had made him wander to places were he often used to travel. It was a lovely afternoon as gentle he stepped into gardens of his mother, the sight of flowers and bushes amazed him often as great planted around it was. However it was not the only sight he enjoyed watching, but also the females that used to visit the place from time to time. At the moment he entered, he got the eye upon their island General named Ismene. She was a kind woman who many times treated him with more respect then other females around, his personal combat trainer she were as chosen for him by his mother. He though good of her, as beautiful and nice she was but still could be tough at times. The training she gave was both hard and painful, either he always managed to get threw what she teached.

Light he was dressed as costume for all on Lesbos island, in the colors of white and gold he were covered, but simple. The sandals he had one were typical Greek, made by leather and threads as such they were made. While he approached Ismene that was not far away, he had to smile cause nice it was to see her again. With a slight wave he came over, and spoke so she could notice him."Ismene, Ismene!" He shouted out, but stopped as confronting her he did."Long time since I have seen you around here, what brings you to these parts of our island?"He said with a smile, as wondering about what she wanted in the gardens they owned.

[Ismene]

All her thoughts were stopped by the sudden call of a voice. At first she thought someone needed her help but as she turned to see who it was she smiled and nodded. She knew who it was clearly, more than anyone in the island. It was the Prince...

She stood up slowly and approached him and smiled. Jason had been named after the Argurian hero, and so Ismene highly respected him though only showed it to him when training so that no one would find her weak or violating any rule. Still she felt great sympathy for him and that she never hid. As he stood before her and spoke to her she smiled and said, "The Governess, as kind as always, allows me to come whenever I need time on my own or to simply enjoy myself without the eyes of all the women of the island upon me."
Ismene was one of those whose deeds were looked at and gossiped by all the villagers, whatever she did or said was known all over the island and sometimes she would get tired of that, that was another reason she had been granted the petition of wandering in the island whenever she required.

She then looked at him and smiled, "what about you?" She had to admit, Jason had always been favoured by manly beauty and many loved him or at least his looks, that was one of the reasons Ismene guarded her heart, for if he was used to having women would be be able to fall in love?

[Jason]

The sight that met Jason as he approached Ismene were both beautiful and breath taking, cause long had he known her and many times in past had she learned him things other would not. Having her as teacher were inspiring, as many on their island looked up to her as the greatest warrior of all. As he stopped in front of her and listened to the respond she gave, it made him interested though understood why she was given the freedom she so much enjoyed. His mother loved her, not just cause of her beauty and passion but also cause of her skills in battle. In return to the words she spoke, he simple nodded thought answered kindly." I am just taking a stroll around, nothing more. However I am glad to hear that your pleased with your freedom, my mother seems to give you most of things you ever could wish for." He said, as he were not satisfied in the way the females on the island treated him.

Since he was a man, the rules were different for him. Although it had some advantages as well, from time to time the prayers of Hera and Aphrodite had rituals to attend. In these rituals men were needed, but never before had Jason got allowed to be there during it cause to you young he were. Mostly men were sacrificed by them at feasts of Hera, though during festivals of Aphrodite they rather used the men for other deeds. Many were slaves on their island, but only men of Lesbos as looked down upon they all were expect the prince of the queen.

[Ismene]

She smiled at the prince as he spoke. But she was not easily fooled because she knew well the Prince was not so happy of the little respect he got in Lesbos, still Ismene did all she could to please him, since he was, after all, a good man and the Governess' son. The wind blew gently shaking her long golden hair as she looked at the blue sky, it was a beautiful day and everything seemed to make it much more pretty.

She turned back to smile at him and placed a hand on his shoulder, "Patience milord, even when it seems impossible to believe I did not earn respect and admiration by being a woman but by fighting and reaching out for my goals in life." She knew well how he felt, but he had to learn how to hide all this, for some women would destroy him as a weak prince and Ismene really did not want that. He was a handsome young prince and she did not see why he could not move freely in Lesbos without being looked at. She then added looking at his handsome hair moving with the wind, "Besides, you were not called Jason for nothing." She winked at him as she thought of the Greek hero Jason that lead the Argus in an adventure all heroes would wish to engage themselves.

[Jason]

"I am glad you believe in me Ismene, it means a lot to me. Not many on this island treat me with respect as you do my lady, I am very thankful." Jason said with a smile in return, as for him she were kind and beautiful. For long had he respected her and for long had she respected him, threw years of friendship they had learned about each other a lot. However great combat skills had he got from her training, she were a general of their island and so also a good teacher. He trusted what she said, even he often wished for a father to help him in things needed.

Most of the island were covered by females, as worshipers of great goddesses they were. Often Jason felt a alone as just one of few men he was, each year a few men were slaughtered or used. He just wondered when anything of that would happen to him, although he would do it with honor as such was the costumes and such was his teaching. Curiously he looked upon Ismene that stood before him, as she looked on the sky above he adored the sight of having her close. Greatly he enjoyed her presence, but calm he stood and waited for her to respond.

[Ismene]

Ismene smiled to his comment as the wind played with her long golden hair and tanned and smooth skin. It was quite reluctant for a man to complain about these things, but Ismene understood. He could feel as insignificant as women felt in other Greek lands. That was why she always showed him a little more kindness and respect.

She also was fond of the Governess and, therefore could not be unkind to her son. Still being almost of the same age, Ismene could understand how out of place and empty Jason could feel sometimes. She then said, “you are a strong man, one of the best Lesbos has ever had, you will soon earn respect.” For even when the island was ruled for any by women, some men earned great respect like the hero Jason once did.

She then began walking toward the main fountain of the gardens, far away from the Castle itself for she always liked some privacy and of course, she loved that fountain that pictured Aphrodite as victorious as ever over Ares himself. She hoped Jason would follow her, for he needed distractions and activities that could make him a better man and less worried about his state in Lesbos. Even though she knew that he was aware of women’s condition in the other Greek islands.
It could be said, that compare to some women, even in the island of Lesbos, Ismene had a certain air, an air of freedom and wildness that few had, and that made her considered as a daughter of Ares himself.

[Jason]

Jason watched her and listened curiously to what she spoke, as she started move toward the fountain close by, he followed. What she said made him proud, even he had not expected himself to be a man that others looked upon as strong. However he knew he was handsome for the ladies around, as much attention they seemed to care when he walked by. The females that lingered in the garden as he walked together with Ismene, watched them move but sonly went back to their own business as other things they had to do. Interested Jason watched as she walked in front him, cause a beauty she were and the dress she had on cough his gaze toward her a lot

Ismene were like a goddess herself, as so much similar she looked the god Ares. Many believed she was his daughter, although she was just a regular woman as everyone else. In return the words she said, he answered and gentle moved closer."I hope your right, even I have gained it by few already it seems."He said with a slight smile, wondering what she thought as close they stood the fountain and each other.

[Ismene]

Ismene smiled, though noticing women staring at them as if they were some sort of elixir that all wished or desired to have made her feel a bit jealous of being in an island full of women that would jump like some sort of carnivore birds, that would jump at all the few males that lived in Lesbos. This made her walk irritated and angry for a moment, but as they left she took a deep breath and sat at the edge of the fountain looking at the beautiful marble statues as they seemed to transmit love to the rest of the world.

“It comes with time, young Prince. But you seem content and patient enough to achieve it, which is good. But remember, you must never let hybris [pride] make you forget about the immortal gods, for their rage could jump at you like it did to Ajax, such a strong and admired warrior he was, but for his pride and insolence against Athena, Ajax was driven into madness and death.”

With this Ismene did not wish to frighten Jason, but to remind him to always honour the gods and goddesses who always watched over him, over all of them. Suddenly, for a moment, Ismene looked at her reflection on the water as Jason approached and was close by. She wondered what Jason thought of the women of Lesbos and if he ever tired of having them all around him begging him to take them to his bed. Normally Ismene did not think about it, but for a reason she seemed jealous and just the thought of Jason sleeping with other women crossed her.

Trying to think on something else, without noticing, she hit the water on the fountain in a way that it splashed Jason on the face a bit. Ismene felt a bit silly and tried to think of ways to pretend it has all been a joke but she suddenly started laughing and could not stop it in front of him, she just laughed as she looked at him and wondered how he would react.

[Jason]

Curious Jason watched as Ismene sat down at the fountain close to them, it made him smile cause elegant she sat herself down and beautiful she looked. However when she spoke he listened with interested ears, glad that she saw hope in him as most others rather didn't. Men surely were lower then females on their island, tough not always had it been so. Before there was a king who ruled their land, a man with many daughters, but as he died long ago the daughters he had continued a new way of living. Circea, the queen of their island was one of those that had ruled on as centuries with female ruleship had occupied them. She was Jason's mother, tho as he were male among females, he was unable to rule. Jason felt it unfair, but agreed cause speaking about it would cause more problems then good.

Calm Jason stood beside his friend, as curious he watched from the place he stood. The moves she made, got his attention easily as incredible pretty she looked. Although in surprise as she touched the water, it splashed upon his face. Wet he became but angry he was not, the thought of what she did made him laugh as well she laughed. Sonly he stopped as slightly it were, but quickly he tried to remove the water she had caused upon him."Why you splashing?"He said with a smile, but then sat down beside her as nice it was to sit close the woman he adored.

[Ismene]

“I what?” She inquired as she winked at him and watched him as he sat down after trying to dry himself. She always enjoyed his temper, for he was not an aggressive man, on the contrary, he sometimes seemed so connected to Apollo in many ways.

As he sat near her she noticed that when he had tried to dry his front shirt he had moved kit slightly revealing some of his chest. It was hard for anyone to tell, but all her life Ismene had trained her boy and mind but never her desires. Though at the moment she had never felt tempted, especially when all women in her island seemed to go crazy about it, especially during Aphrodite’s rituals where women would look for any kind of partner. Ismene always pleased the gods, but never took part in any of those things.
She tried not to look too obvious but at the same time she felt as if she not only felt sympathy toward her disciple. Could it be that her heart, her cold heart that had seen to many battles and blood, was made to love? Without noticing, she lifted her right hand and for a moment placed a finger on his neck, tracking down to his chest. Could it be that he, like her, had never experienced this before?

She quickly moved her and away and looking at the gardens trying to think on something to say or do that distracted them both from what just had happened, but for a moment her mind went blank. She did not know if she had done right or wrong, but she knew something had happened she could not control. She then swallowed hard and then asked him to change the subject, “I heard that you have been told you can go and travel around the world, and yet you have said you do not want to…” she wondered if he loved someone and that was the reason…“is it you love your home? Is that the reason?” She tried to look at him and smile, but for an unknown reason she only looked at him for a moment.

She cursed herself, how could she truly love anyone…especially a pupil? Even when they were almost the same age, both young and charming, she did not wish for him to dislike her now, she enjoyed his company greatly, to loose him would be unbearable for her.

[Jason]

Jason kept on smiling as tried to clean his shirt dry from water, that his beloved trainer Ismene had caused by splashing water on him. However as his strong chest were shown to her by the things he did, he did not care. Cause normal it were for those who lived on Lesbos to wear little cloths, but men rather were ordered to wear slightly more then the females. Ismene were a kind woman, which he often admired but nothing more had ever happened. Although the looks she gave when his shirt went wet, was suspicious interested she seemed.

When she spoke the words as she herself tried to sit up more comfortable, he listened as curious his eyes followed her movements. She wondered if he had stayed there for other things then just his home, it made him smile but in return he answered."I am staying here cause this is my home, this is were I am used to live and here I will keep on living till the day says otherwise."He said kindly, cause somehow he knew what she thought in the moment she sat beside him. She seemed adore him specially, as if she were to fall in love.

[Ismene]

Ismene smiled at him and then said, "that is the resolution of the brave, of the confident." She then stood up slowly allowing the soft wind to caress her long golden hair and then turned to smile at him as she fixed her dress since she had been sitting on the fountain's edge. She then added, "A cunning mind does not always lead a city, Jason, but sometimes knows when to follow."

She winked at him and thought she had better leave now for she was confused, she did not know truly what she was feeling at the moment but she knew well that
she had to figure out what she was feeling there and then. She turned to smile at him and then said, "the next time you train you will hardly recognize yourself Jason for you have got skills and talents you have yet to discover."
She smiled at him and then walked away to where her horse was. She was going back home. Her slender figure moved gracefully out of the garden as her dress and hair waved as the wind blew strongly. She then got on her horse and rode swiftly.

[Jason]

Jason who curiously sat beside Ismene as she spoke, listened with interested thought was more fixed upon her beauty then anything else. When she stood up after a few words she said, he wondered what she were going to do but figured that she wanted to leave. He saw something troubled her as close they were, however he did not truly know what she felt in the moment they spent at the fountain. It was a great day he thought, specially as he got to meet his beloved friend and trainer. She were interesting, cause not often were it a woman that controlled armies of thousands. He knew she were strong, as such he had seen and felt by the things she had done towards him during training. He loved it, and spending time with her for just strength the skills in combat always were fun.

As she now stood and slowly started to walk away, he nodded slightly to the words she said and believed they were true. She were wise and often did he did think the things she said were right, when she moved further he watched curiously after as her movements were quite a lovely sight for him. He said nothing, but lot her leave.