On Business ( Ismene )

[Ambrose, The Neutral King]

Ambrose had journied to the Island of Lesbos on business. A very important man had requested to see the finest horses in all of Greece and Ambrose was the first name that came to the mind of many of the men who had been around him. Ambrose was sent a message and he set sail from Crete in a small ship with three of his best horses. He reached the Island and began to make his way to the man who had requested the horses. The road was rather long and weary and Ambrose stopped at a town so that he could use the well and water his horses. Ambrose came to the well and paid the toll and began to pour water for his horses.

[Ismene]

Ismene had been appointed General of Lesbos a long time ago, for her own talents and deeds. But now, one of her duties was to make sure that every knight in Lesbos had a decent and well-bred horse to ride in battle. And so, Ismene had called upon the most known Greek for his horse breeding abilities. Though, of course, few knew of Lesbos being an island ruled by and for women.

She was wearing a light blue dress that reached lightly her thighs with a silver belt on her waist and the dress was bound around her neck in two light knots. She had two arm bracelets in the shape of s snake to symbolize the goddesses of fertility and how women ruled in Lesbos.She had her hair fixed on a knot, though some hair was loose in front of her face and some small white jasmines decorated her hair.
There was a sword on her belt and a quiver on her back full of arrows. She herself was holding a bow as she looked form the distance as a ship approached the island. It did not seem to wish to attack the island, but seemed to come for commercial purposes only.

She knew then who it was and so she shook her hand so that the archers that were ready to shoot lowered their bows. Ismene would meet the visitor and inquire on the business.
She slowly and noiselessly approached the port and stood there waiting. She would wait until the visitors stepped on firm ground before asking any questions or doing anything but watching. From the nearer distance she could see that it was with animals their businesses seemed to be.

[Ambrose, The Neutral King]

It was not long before the ship made port and Ambrose stepped onto the dock. He took in a deep breath and smiled as a servant boy guided the horses down the gangplank and onto the dock. Ambrose thanked him and paid him a small favor before releasing the boy of his duties. Ambrose was a business man. Everything was, at all time, business for him, unless of course he was with his wife Alerya, and daughter Ella. He walked up the dock holding the reigns firmly so that the three horses could not run off, not that they would, even if they were given the chance. He stood at the entrance to the port, waiting for someone to address him. This was a foreign island to him, in which he had never visited. He did not desire to make a bad impression so he just stood his ground and waited.

[Ismene]

Ismene looked at the man as he entered the port and gave the boy some treats before the boy ran back inside the ship. She smiled as she saw the horses, now she knew who he was and what his businesses were in Lesbos. Once he was on safe ground she smiled warmly and then said, “Kalimera.” [Good morning] She then bowed her head in acknowledgment for she knew this was Ambrose himself and then said, “I hope you had a safe trip. You need not look any further for it is I, Ismene the General of Lesbos who required your grace as to attend to bring three strong horses for the courageous knights.”

She then approached to look at the horses and for a moment caressed them and spoke gently to them as she inquired, “Do they have names?” She turned to look at him and asked, “They look as strong and fast as promised. What shall the price be?”

[Ambrose, The Neutral King]

As he assumed would be the case, he was approached by someone. It happened to be a very beautiful woman. She spoke to him and he bowed his head in acknowledgment as well. She was a general of an army, and he was merely a horse farmer. It seemed that the significance of the two would be much higher in her favor. " It is an honor to meet you. " He said with a smile. " As for their names. Na, i do not name the horses. I fear, if i do such i thing i will become to attached and no longer be able to sell them. " He said with a smile. " However, i before i consider i price i would like to view the stables in which they will be kept, and know who their masters shall be. I do not sell a horse, unless i know that the treatment that they shall receive is none other than what you or i would desire. " he said in a firm tone. There was no disrespect in his voice, it was just how he had always done business, his father and his grandfather the same.

[Ismene]

It was wise indeed when a man of business knew well his ground and so she understood well his reasons not to naem any horse or anyhting he would sell and never see again.

She heard his words calmly and saw no problem with it, but something had to be done before anyone could enter the blessed island of Lesbos. Offerings and sacrifices were needed to thank Posidon of his safe journey, another for the patron goddesses Hera and Aphrodite and never forget Zeus, father of all men and gods. She nodded and said, “even though our women attend to the welfare of the horses and our priestesses make sure they grace Posidon and Hades, lords of horses, I shall comply your request”

She then looked at the clear sky for a moment and then said, “But you must make the required offerings to thank the God of the sea for such a pleasant journey and ask for the purity of Hera and Aphrodite so that you are welcomed to Lesbos and may go back home with no curse upon your shoulders, mentioning the divine Zeus, for grateful and humble we must be before the gods and goddesses.” Since he looked Greek she presupposed he knew well of the costumes of each rite and the animals that were to be sacrificed.

[Ambrose, The Neutral King]

Ambrose bowed his head in respect once again and nodded. He had never been one to fully believe in the gods, but he would not dishonor the customs and sacrifices. He knew very well the animals that were required for such sacrifices. " Indeed i agree. Such sacrifices must be offered. However, as you can easily see, all that i have brought with me on this voyage is here before you. " He said as he gestured to the horses and himself. " If you wish. I shall pay you to bring forth the animals so that we might perform the sacrifice.." He said hoping that this would be acceptable. He had not truly expected to have had to sacrifice anything on this trip and he was, in his heart against the slaughter of innocent animals. If the gods were so powerful, why would they need sacrifice? There was much that he was uncertain about in these matters, but as he knew. It was in his best interest to follow her beliefs.

[Ismene]

She nodded and said, “It will be done as you say.” She turned to look at one of the hidden archers and nodded to her. They were used to people that did not know the customs of the women of Lesbos, but history had proven better to keep the gods content and not allow an enemy to trespass their lands and then pay for this insolence with the worst of punishments. As she thought of those things the archer approached her and offered her the animals needed. Ismene turned to the man and then gave him a note for the price of the animals. She then turned back to the woman and took form her a porcelan font, as well, for him to wash his hands before and after the sacrifice for purity of intentions.

She then said, “I’ll be waiting for you but I will give you space and time to do so. In the meantime I assure you nothing will harm you without us protecting you from afar. When you finish call my name and I shall guide you to the stables of the Castle of the governess where they are well kept and looked after.” She then turned and seemed to disapear in the mezmerizing woods that seemed to surround and protect the island.

[Ambrose, The Neutral King]

After each of the animals were brought to him Ambrose took out the small dagger that he had attached to his belt, and in the sacrificial way slew every animal, praying up his prayers to the gods and being sure, after every sacrifice to re-rinse his hands so that none of the blood of the animal before would be left on his hands. The whole ritual took about half an hour before he finally, after washing his hands for the final time called out. " Ismene, General of Lesbos. Guide me to where it is that i may go. " He called and waited for Ismene to re-appear and lead him to the castle in which his horses would be kept.

[Ismene]

She smiled at him and nodded, she then said as she turned to enter the island, “follow me.” She then entered the woods and did not walk at her normal pace, for she knew that it she did not guide him he would surely fall into a marsh or any hunting trap. No enemy could enter Lesbos on his own and reach the city.

After what it could seem like a century for her visitor, she turned to the right, though this would clearly confuse Ambrose more, since where she gave a turn looked exactly as the other part of the woods they had just entered, as if they were going in circles.

Then, Ismene kept on walking for a while before she entered a natural, small and misty cave, big enough for a horse to enter and then she beckoned him to enter. Inside there could be seen dry and solid stables. It was clean and some women were already cleaning and making sure everything was ready for the horses to enter the stables after allowing them to run freely around the island.



Ismene then turned to look at Ambrose and then said, “These are the stables, it is a big room fit for several horses and stables-maids.” She hoped he was more than satisfied with what his eyes met.

[Ambrose, The Neutral King]

Ambrose took a step forward and looked about. He had never seen a stable such as this. This one was made of stone as it would seem and the ones in Crete were made of wood...He looked back at her than at the stabled once again. He saw the horses as they were already being tended to and he nodded. " Very well. These stables, i believe shall suit my creatures extremely well. That shall be happy here. " He said with another smile. " But, if it is possible, is there any way for me to meet the riders of these horses? I do not question the care that your people shall take towards my horses, but as you must understand, it is custom for me to do so. " He said as politely as he could.

[Ismene]

"I am one of the riders and do not know if the rest are here at the moment...Would I suffice? Or shall I call them all?" She knew that his requests could get anyone impatient, especially if one comes to think about the one that is the visitor and the one that is the inhabitant. But Ismene remained as calmed as the wind at night.
She was used to this, for it was also part of her training, how to master herself: her feelings and actions. Even though no one ever managed to control them fully, Ismene believed it would always do her good to try at least.

[Ambrose, The Neutral King]

Ambrose shook his head and smiled kindly. " Na, i do not wish to cause to much trouble. I believe that you and your people shall treat the horses well, and with great care. " He said with another bow of his head. " Now, as for price. I would assume that you have a price in mind that you are willing to pay. I am not one who desires to cheat anyone out of what something is truly worth. It is hard to measure the work of such creatures as these. However, the money is obviously needed so that i might have a shelter for my family and enough money to by land for the new horses that i breed. Now..what are you willing to pay madam? " He asked in a polite manner as he looked up at the sky which was becoming dark with rain clouds before casting his glance once again back to her.

[Ismene]

She smiled at him thinking he truly knew his businesses, but little ever motivated Ismene or caused her to pity anyone. Perhaps it was the hard training of body and mind she had experienced all her life. Still no trace of coldness was ever in her eyes or face. She nodded and said, "reasonable enough." She then picked up a small parchment and handed it to him as she then said, "that is the main reason for us to have this which is a record of the finest horses we have ever bought and their prices, you must look at it carefully and choose which horses are compatible or the closest to the ones we are to buy, then you will know what price we can offer."

Lesbos was a rich island, but not one to be trifled with. Still they were generous when paying those that were no inhabitants of her island. As she looked at the sky she then said as politely as possible, "concerning the weather you may stay one night in the palace, we can have a bed made for you in case it rains indeed for it would not be good weather for your journey, I'm afraid."

[Ambrose, The Neutral King]

Ambrose took the piece of parchment with a nod as he looked over the horse breeds and the sizes, weight, and legitimacy of the line of the horses. Most of the horse lines were very familiar to him, for he had worked with hundreds of horse farmers and each seemed to have their own unique style of horses. He smiled as he found his own horses and the price was more than fair. " Here you are. " He said after placing a mark under his price per horse. He noted the comment that she made about the whether and allowing him to spend the night in the palace. " I would be more than honored to stay here. " He said with another smile. " Of course, only if i am not imposing on anything or anyone. " He said in a respectful tone.