SUN, MOON AND STARS
Chapter Two.
“What did you say?”
The vibrant voice of Hippolyta, Queen of the Amazons, echoed loudly in the high domed, marbled throne room as she turned her head to stare at Penelope, the Oracle, in astonishment. She could not believe what she had just heard.
The younger, golden haired woman met the sharp eyes set in the perfect, unlined face of the three thousand year old monarch with a sober nod. “We are charged with a duty. To make a stand against the growing forces of Ares. Even as we speak we know that the path mankind is taking will cause the destruction of its race if efforts are not made to stem evil and war.”
“Yes, they are intent on destroying each other. But they have always been that way. What is so different that we must send one of our own to a world we have sworn never to be a part of?” she demanded scathingly.
“If we do not play a part, Your Majesty, the darkness will find its way to Themyscira. The Gods have foreseen it and they can do little to stop it. The world is not as simple as it was. Our Gods are not the only Superior beings in the Universe and the Earth’s fate is fickle. It can endure for an eternity in peace or can be consumed by evil and greed. If the latter happens, Themyscira will not be safe. We will be invaded and destroyed. The only way to ensure our survival is to help them. The Gods will it to be so.”
“Help them? How?” she asked irritably.
“A Champion must be chosen amongst our best warriors and sent out into the world to act as an Emissary of the Amazons and defender of peace. We have lived in peace for many centuries, the Gods believe we have much we could teach mankind.”
The Queen paced now, her sandals clapping on the mosaic tiles. She was watched by the Oracle and a tall, dark skinned woman, who had been standing quietly during the exchange. She was General Phillipus, trusted advisor and commander of the army. Hippolyta stopped and stared at her.
“Phillipus, what do you think of all this?”
The General said gravely, “It is not for me to question the will of the Gods, my Queen.”
“The will of the Gods? More like the whim of the Gods. For three thousand years we have lived apart from man and in relative peace and now we must send one of our own out there to mingle with them? What will the Senate think of this? They will not agree to it and who would even want to participate in such an event?”
Penelope said sadly, “I fear the Senate has little say in this matter. This is a decree. It does not call for a vote. It is our duty to obey and our sisters must be made to understand this is not for the amusement of Zeus or Hera. But ultimately our survival and our way of life are dependent upon keeping war away from Themyscira by helping defend man’s world.”
Hippolyta stopped before a window overlooking the main concourse of the Palace. She could see her subjects serenely going about their daily duties, oblivious of the upheaval that was to come. This was no small thing that the Gods asked. To have one Amazon leave and go live amongst men was akin to heresy.
No one went out into the world except a few select Amazons who were only sent to record history and changes and collect objects and catalogue these advances in technology. Despite Themyscira being magical and located in an area that mankind could not detect, Hippolyta recognize the Amazons could not be complacent. Over the centuries the odd outsider had washed upon their shores and had been summarily tossed back before they could even see the island. But that in it self meant that Themyscira could be breached and if it ever happened the Amazons would be prepared. Hippolyta knew the Patriarch’s world had excelled in developing weapons of mass destruction and continued to war and she had hoped they would never have to interact with them and taint themselves.
Hippolyta looked at the dark bracelets she wore on her wrists. A replica of the manacles that had been placed on her wrists by Heracles himself before he and his hordes had raped and humiliated her and her sisters three thousand years ago. It was worn by every Amazon, as a reminder of the brutality and dishonesty of men and that no woman should yield to any man.
The Olympian Gods had helped the tribe rally and defeat Heracles and his men but it had left the women scarred, bitter and hungry for retribution. Hippolyta recalled that the thirst for blood had gotten so bad that the tribes split ideologically and physically. She mistrusted men but she could not continue on a rampage to kill or maim them. She has also refused to kill little boys and stood up to those who saw children as threats too. For her wisdom and mercy, Hera granted her and the sisters who followed her immortality and an option to withdraw from the world and to live in peace and isolation from men. Hippolyta had accepted this and for the last three thousand years they had lived in relative peace and prosperity on the chosen isle of Themyscira.
Peace and prosperity. Would they have that ever once this Champion did as the Gods commanded? Hippolyta sighed. Somehow she could sense that things would never be the same again.
She said grimly to Phillipus. “Gather the women. We tell them today at dusk.”
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The Queen and General Phillipus were on their way to the Coliseum to meet with Euboea, Captain of the Guard, to discuss the upcoming contest that had been announced three days ago to search for a Champion.
To say that the entire nation was in shock was an understatement. No one expected this. It was unprecedented. To the younger Amazons who grew up with the notion that society was better and more peaceful for the lack of men this was confusing and even unsettling. But when Hippolyta had Penelope explain the rationale behind the command, duty superseded scruples. The Gods’ will was law and were it not for them most of these women would be dead or enslaved. A surprising number of them volunteered to join the contest and even the Bana-Midghall, the neighboring tribe, who had representatives in the Senate, had sent word that it would be allowing its best warrior to participate.
The contest would be set for the Spring in three months time. Hippolyta assigned her most skilled senior warriors to ready the venue and organize the events. In addition, Mnemosyne, the Historian, and Cleo, the scribe, were responsible for going to the Archives and bringing out all records they had on Man’s world, its history and languages and culture. The candidates, approved by Hippolyta, based on experience and skill, would be taught about the world they would be expected to enter so when the time came they would be at least able to speak the universal tongue and understand some of the traditions and rituals in this the twenty first century.
As they rode to the large arena a mile away from the Palace itself a voice sounded behind them.
“Mother!!! Phillipus!!!”
Both women paused stopped and turned in the saddle to see a most unusual sight. Sailing though the air as if propelled by Zephyrus, the God of the Wind himself, was a lithe figure in a white, knee length tunic and sandals.
Hippolyta sighed to her General. “I told you it was just a matter of time.”
Phillipus looked grave as the figure paused to hover a few feet above them.
Anyone looking at her would surely mistake her for some magical sprite or nymph. For she emanated a kind of radiance only seen in beings from the ethereal realms. Ebony hair spilled in soft waves down her back and eyes gleamed like sapphires in a face that the three Graces, Joy, Beauty and Charm would envy. But then there were not many blessed by Aphrodite and this Amazon had a face that could almost rival the Goddess of Love and Beauty herself.
This was none other than Hippolyta’s pride and joy. Heir to Themyscira’s throne. Her Royal Highness, the Princess Diana. A miracle borne out of the prayers of an empty womb and blessed with powers that no other Amazon possessed. Her manner of birth was taken for granted now by all but when Hippolyta had been seen going to the beach and carrying a small figure of clay and performing strange rituals and prayers twenty three years ago the Amazons had thought their Queen had lost her power of reason.
The Gods had listened and the soul of Hippolyta’s dead child from her time as a mortal woman had been given life once more. A Princess made of clay. A child who would bring no end of joy to a place that had lost the magic that only children could bring.
But she was a child no more and Phillipus sensed the tension in the Queen’s attitude as if ready for a battle of wills.
The Princess looked at them and began perplexed, “I put my name down on the list, why was I not called by Cleo and Mnemosyne? The others are gathered in the Hall of History and when I tried to join I was told I was not on the list.”
“I…am sorry, Princess. I know. But it is not up to me to approve the list. Your mother has already chosen.”
Diana frowned and stared at her mother. “What are you saying? That I am not chosen?”
“Yes, that is correct,” said the Queen calmly.
“Why not?”
“You do not meet the criteria in my opinion.”
“What criteria? The Gods will that anyone could participate in this contest, so why was I refused?”
“The list is large and we have fifty women already vying for positions. They are all very skilled.”
“I do not understand this at all! I am skilled. I am ready. Ask Phillipus. You know that!” she began baffled.
“Diana, you are my daughter, and the heir to this throne. Your destiny does not lie in Man’s world,” the Queen replied unruffled.
Diana stared at her mollified. “But I have been blessed with abilities beyond all our sisters…Surely that says something?”
Hippolyta said, “Indeed. It gives you an unfair advantage. That in itself makes your participation questionable.”
Phillipus spoke up, “Well, in truth and fact for someone with the Princess’ strength it does make it harder for her to control something as simple as a bow and arrow or sword without breaking it. And we are not having events that rely on flight or strength anyway…”
Hippolyta gave Phillipus a glare. “You are not helping here…”
“Sorry, Majesty.”
Hippolyta continued, “In any event you are too young. Only twenty three summers and you have no idea what the Patriarch’s world entails.”
“You let Mala enter…She is young and so is Artemis of the Bana!!! ”
“Both may be young but have seen Man’s world. They were born there and came to these shores as children. They have the advantage of knowing something of the outside and they are older than you by half a century.”
“So someone has not seen a place or been to it, you deny them the right to go there? Half our history would never have happened if that were the case. Would Odysseus have gone to Ithaca? Jason to Colchis? Would you even be here? Even when you were experienced, you made mistakes and yet it did not make you weak but stronger.”
“It is not the same…”
Diana insisted, going on rashly, “But it is!!! You went against the will of the Senate and let Heracles in and look what happened there. But no one holds that against you.”
The Queen’s eyes narrowed at Diana’s careless allusion to the painful past and she snapped, “Enough!! You speak as one who knows nothing other than what she reads in books!! You have led a charmed life. Have had every luxury. The best tutors. Pampered by your sisters and even me. The toughest lessons you have ever had to learn was to not have your horse throw you or not to crush a flower with your bare hands. You are like the sun, moon and stars here but there you will be as a lamb to the slaughter!!! You are not to join that contest. The Queen has spoken. Come, Phillipus, we have work to do.”
Diana’s mouth opened, stunned at her mother’s vehemence. Never in all her years had she seen Hippolyta so stern. Diana was well versed enough in the lay of the land to know that a subject did not engage in a shouting match with the Queen, even if that subject was an adored daughter. So she gritted her teeth and held her peace.
She bowed. “I understand, Your Majesty.”
Phillipus looked at Diana with some sympathy but she reined her horse in and followed her Queen who had already ridden onwards.
The Princess clenched her fists and muttered, “This is not fair!!!”
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Princess Diana stared at the fifty Amazon warriors that had been chosen as they exited the Hall of History and walked past her in the main atrium of the building. They had just finished a language session with Cleo and some were now going to their various training schedules. Many bowed as they saw her. None of them knew the disappointment in Diana’s heart at not being one of their numbers.
Diana sighed to herself. She was versed in the language she could hear them stumbling to learn all morning. She had mastered this English with other languages like Latin, Coptic, Ge’ez, Hebrew, Avestan and even a very slippery one called French since she was sixteen years old. She had ravenously read everything she could find on the Patriarch’s history. She had been fascinated and repelled by them. From what she could see these men were brilliant enough to create machines that could fly to the moon and back but that brilliance could forge weapons that could decimate a population to dust and block out the sun. Creators and destroyers alike. Their similarities to her Gods were intriguing. She wondered if they had the capacity to change and ever maintain peace. Her mother and sisters did not think so but the Gods seemed to want to give them a chance. If Ares grew too powerful then Zeus himself would face extinction. The balance had to be maintained.
“Diana?”
She looked up. It was Mala, her childhood friend, a beautiful brown skinned Amazon with large doe-like eyes and with her a red haired, young woman Diana recognized as the Bana representative. Artemis wore that smirk she always had since Diana knew her.
“Hello, Mala. Artemis. How are you?”
Artemis shrugged “Oh, well enough. I wish this contest would be over and done with. I am tired of Cleo’s incessant. “I am…You are…He is …She is”….”
Mala took Diana’s arm. “I am glad you came. There is something you must see!”
Diana blinked. “What?”
“It only came in today!!” she said dragging her down a long corridor. “We caught a glimpse of it but now it is under guard and they are being strict and not letting us near it. You now, you can get us in.”
They soon came upon a circular atrium guarded by four women with spears. The guard, seeing the Princess amongst the trio, bowed and allowed them in without much fuss. They entered and walked up to the glass enclosure. Hanging on a panel was a golden and red armor with an eagle emblem on the chest, a kind of metal girdle over the torso and a warrior skirt over a dark blue bottom. Sitting on brackets were knee high boots and a golden tiara with a red star.
“Cleo said Pallas made it and the victor will wear it to the Man’s world,” said Mala.
“It is beautiful,” said Diana, with appreciative eyes. “Pallas’ work is beyond excellent.”
Mala said, “Makes you want to wear it.”
Artemis said smugly, “Well, only the best will have a chance of wearing it.”
Mala looked at the disappointment on Diana’s face and said softly, “I am sorry, Diana. If it is any comfort I think the best would include you as well. It will feel odd not having you there after all the times you participated in tournaments.”
“My mother has spoken and we have a set number of candidates. What is done is done. I will never have the chance to wear something like this.”
Artemis gave her an amused look. “So you really wanted to be part of this? And the Queen said no. Pity. I would have enjoyed taking you on. Well, you could steal it, I suppose.”
“Steal it?” Diana said seriously, “I know you are joking but I would never ever consider stealing the armor. This was made as a symbol to represent all that the Amazons stand for and having the right to wear it should be earned. If anyone stole this then they lack the honor to wear it.”
Mala looked at her friend’s face as she said that and a look of admiration tinged her expression.
Artemis said, “Our tribe did not have to send anyone but I volunteered. Anything to keep men away from Themyscira, I will do.”
Diana frowned. “That is not what the Gods are asking, Artemis.”
“Oh and what are they asking, Princess?”
“To spread ideals of love and defend peace. Not to judge mankind. That means more than just fighting but it involves teaching and sharing what we know.”
“Warriors cannot teach peace if we are to bloody our knuckles. The Gods just want their own survival and want us to do their work for them. Nothing is ever unconditional. We serve them in turn to serve ourselves. I remember the outside world. I was only ten but it was horrible and my father had sold me into slavery. If the slaver ship had not been hit by that storm I would have never washed ashore and taken in by my tribe. We are like leaves in the wind, Princess, and if we do not chart our own destiny when we can, we will be blown away.”
“I agree but we are not here in this world to just survive but make it a worthwhile existence. You cannot go with hate in your heart to defend innocents.”
“Humph, maybe it is a good thing you are not getting a chance to join this contest, I dread to see what you would do. The way you are speaking you might just end up bringing home one of these creatures and announcing you want to bond yourself to him.”
Diana flushed and uttered defensively, “What? No! I would never do that! I honor our laws and I am heir to the throne. Yet the Champion must set up a dialogue with them so you will have to try to build trust and exercise restraint.”
Mala injected, “Besides they are smelly, ugly creatures from what I remember.”
Diana gave Mala a wry smile. “You were only two years old when Cleo rescued you. What do you remember?”
“Well, Cleo said they were going to bury me alive because I was a daughter and not a son.”
Artemis said coldly, “Much of these practices have not changed according to Mnemosyne. Parts of the Patriarch’s world still treat women like chattel. I will wear that armor, and when I do, I will show men that women are not to be abused. You should stick to what you know. Be Princess to your people. You are lauding over a world over which you know nothing.” Artemis turned to leave them and she added, “Men are dangerous creatures and cannot be trusted. If the Gods are kind you will be fortunate to never lay your eyes upon the species. And if you ever do, beware, Princess.”
Diana watched her leave with troubled eyes. She looked at Mala. “You believe that too?”
“I wouldn’t go as far as saying men are all evil but we have a reason why we live apart from them. And we have been happy and content on Themyscira, have we not?”
Diana said slowly, “I suppose so.”
Mala looked at her face. “Diana, what is it?”
“I do not know. I have this strange feeling inside, Mala. Artemis is the best warrior and will most likely win and yet I feel no joy or comfort at that. Themyscira ‘s fate seems tied up with the one who will wear this armor and I sense that she will bring war, not peace.”
Mala looked slightly worried. Diana always seemed to have this instinct that had never failed to guide her on the right path. It was like the strange empathy she shared with animals. Another gift from the Gods.
Mala touched her shoulder. “I promise, Sister, to do my best to win that armor.”
“I know, Mala. I will pray for you to win.”
“Prayer is good but helping me with my sword skills would be better,” she smiled back.
Diana smiled. “Well, I learned from the best. I can show you a trick or two Phillipus taught me. Artemis will never see it coming.”
“Oh, that would be welcome. And when I wear that armor I will bring back a smelly, ugly man-specimen for you when you become Queen and we will change the rules. That will make Artemis really mad,” she teased.
Diana laughed so loudly that the guards turned to stare at them. Giggling like two little girls they left the atrium, forgetting for a while that one was facing a contest that could result in her leaving the safety of Themyscira and the other was destined to mount the throne itself one day.
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Author’s note: Anyone who knows Wonder Woman’s character at all would know she would never steal the armor as she did in the JL cartoon. That was just one of the many out of character things they did made her do that annoyed me.
