An Unexpected Turn Of Events

Greed is said to be a bottomless pit of evil. The life I've experienced has proved it over and over again. When a speck of light shows up in the darkest night, isn't it natural to follow it!?

- Diary Of Ophelia

"Sia, do I look presentable?" Epione asked while twirling around once.

She was wearing a sky blue high-girdled chiton poderes with a golden zoster [ a large belt; could be worn over the chiton, usually under the breast ("high-girdled") or around the waist ("low-girdled") ]. Her hair was in a chignon at the nape of the neck, secured by gold handcrafted hairpins. She wore a simple gold wreath on the top of her head symbolising her status as the princess.

"All you lack is the kohl," Celosia said with approval and pride. "You look beautiful."

"You are the best sister ever." Epione smiled with pleasure. "Why aren't you ready yet?"

"I'll be there on time, worrywart," Celosia said with a laugh. "Now get going and help mother get Thea ready."

"Oh yes, our little sunshine is adamant on wearing bright yellow chiton and mother has persuaded her to wear shade of golden ivory."

She said with tint of humour in her voice.

Suddenly she froze and said, "Oh no! Alec was to bring the wreath of flowers for her hair. I'll go check. Come fast Sia." Epione rushed out with a wave.

Celosia shook her head with a fond smile and started to apply the kohl (which was specifically made from charcoal mixed with olive oil) on her eyelids.

"Well, the snow white high-girdled chiton poderes [ A chiton which reached the heels was called chiton poderes] with a brown zoster should suit the occasion. And I'll let my hair loose with an ivory wreath on top. A few ivory hairpins could tame the wayward strands. What do you think?"

She asked her stuffed panda with a serious face. She couldn't hold it in much longer and started to laugh.

" I imagine I'm the only one who talks to their stuffed toys. But you are so adorable."

------------------------------------

"Where is Sia? The banquet is going to start and the eldest princess is not here yet!?" Zeus, their father asked in a stern tone.

"She will be here soon Papa."

"She better be."

"You know our daughter. She'll never let us down." Danaë, their mother said with an amiable smile.

"Sister!!" Thea called out.

Indeed, there she was walking towards them with a happy-smile, her curly brunette tresses let down to her waist and held by an ivory wreath.

"You look perfect sunshine." Celosia praised Thea with a kiss on her chubby cheeks.

"Papa,....Mama." She kissed their cheeks respectively.

"Well, I knew you won't be late."

"Zeus...," Danaë rolled her eyes and smiled with exasperation.

Epione was suppressing her laughter and Thea was beaming.

"Papa everything is ready. Let's start." Leo had come with the other two.

Leo, Barak and Alec were wearing violet, white and green low-girdled chiton syrtos [ a longer chiton which dragged the ground was called a chiton syrtos] with indigo, brown and gold zoster respectively.

The king was dressed in a similar manner but with the addition of himation( the outer cloak) in dark purple colour. And the Queen wore a golden high-girdled chiton.

The majestic doors were opened and the royal family stepped into the venue of celebration.

All the guests started cheering at once.

The king came forward, "Today the youngest princess is turning four, Rejoice. Thea, come and offer the sacrifices to the gods."

"Yes, your highness."

She came forward and Epione gave her a plate of the finest food and a goblet of the best wine, both of which she poured out into the ceremonial fire.

The ritual was complete and now was the time to party.

All started to eat and drink wine. The royal pair sat at their thrones while the siblings walked around and made merry with their guests. The guests were all noble men and women. Everyone went over to the royal couple and offered gifts to Thea who was with them.

The birthday banquet was going on in full swing when Celosia noticed a soldier rushing in with a face full of worry. It seemed as if he was searching for someone. After a moment he went to the Captain Aries and whispered something to him. Captain's face took on an angry expression and he started to stride out of the banquet hall.

She excused herself from the guests and hurried to intercept the Captain.

"Captain Aries, hold on. Is there any problem? You look agitated."

"Princess Celosia. It's an urgent matter. A group of men were seen terrorizing the citizens. They are not natives and seem to have a martial arts background. Our soldiers who tried to tackle them were grievously injured. I've to head there immediately."

" I'm coming with you Captain Aries. I'll join you in a while. You can go ahead."

"But princess,..."

"Do you have any doubts about my abilities Captain?"

"Doubts about Perseus, the Major General's best pupil? Impossible!" Aries said with twinkling eyes.

"It seems like you still remember our duel." Celosia remarked with a mischievous smile.

--------------------------------------------

Celosia rushed into her chambers to don her male clothes (the knee-length red chiton) and take her trusted weapons: two double edged bronze swords. She was not orthodox in her choice of weapons. When all others used spear as the primary weapon and sword as the second choice, she preferred to use two swords. A shield was rarely used.

She rushed outside and a soldier was waiting in the courtyard with her horse: Pegasus, a snow white horse with a black star on the forehead.

"Come on, Pegasus. Let's ride the winds."

She jumped on to the back of the horse with the finesse of an experienced rider.

It neighed once and started a fierce gallop.

Soon they joined the Captain and a small group of soldiers accompanying him.

"Perseus...."

"Yes, this Avatar is better for a battle I believe."

"Well, let's go then."

They rushed to the western shore of the island.

"There they are."

A group of men could be seen holding spears and sipping wine from goblets while making the citizens fetch delicacies for them. And they were even treating women indecently.

Captain and the soldiers rushed in and started engaging them in a fierce battle. They were taken by surprise and were forced to surrender within a short span of time. But Captain and his soldiers failed to see that one had escaped and had run for his life.

Celosia was happy with the outcome and was soon enquiring about the well being of citizens. They seemed fine enough with a few exceptions. She gave orders to see to them and to investigate about the origin of those strange men.

-----------------------------------------

Meanwhile a few kilometres away, on the western shore:

A ship could be seen approaching the shore. The breathless man with bloodied clothes was happy to see its arrival. The ship docked and a young man of about 25 years old descended from it. He was wearing a black low-girdled chiton syrtos with a silver zoster. The injured man ran and kneeled infront of the young man and started to complain in a wronged voice:

"Your highness, we were attacked with no reason. You have to seek justice for us. "

"What happened? Weren't you people send to pay due wishes to the youngest princess because I was expected to arrive late!? How did you end up in this plight?" He asked with barely reigned anger in his voice.

"Yes, Your highness. We did reach on time. But a group of soldiers attacked us and all except me were caught or killed." The man said with a cunning smile, evil glint in his eyes and bowed head, which caused the young man to be ignorant of the true intentions of the soldier. The Crown Prince was a young but just man, who never tolerated unjust treatment towards his citizens. Moreover, the injured or dead men were a part of his own army. The injured man was bent on taking advantage of this fact.

" Everyone, assemble. Let's seek the reason why the kingdom of Isles of Athena did this filthy act!!"

A mighty army lead by the fearless youth moved in the direction of the village where the battle took place.

'You are done for. You dare to question us? The soldiers of the mighty army of Falcon!! You will learn your place, the puny soldiers of the isles of Athena.'

The injured man thought with malicious pleasure.

Copyright 2020 by Mila Alaia

All rights reserved

Enjoy:)

Lots of ❤️

Mila Alaia