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Yanni was not looking forward to seeing her husband and sons march off once more, in fact her heart felt like it was breaking at the thought of losing any of them to this foolish war. Had she been a weaker woman, she would have begged her husband to stay home for this one. He wasn’t getting any younger, and the more times he went off at his age, the less likely it became that he would come home once more. He had returned to her every time, so she had to hold faith that this time would be no different. Besides, even if she had begged him to stay, she knew her husband and knew that it would not have done any good. He was a Kotas man, and the Kotas family had a long standing tradition of military history. Who was she to try and change that?
She tried to put her worry out of her mind. She had much to do as well, though she would be remaining safe at home while the men in her family marched off. She would make arrangements for supplies for them, anything she could do to take a bit of the pressure and work off of her husband. She intended to recruit her daughter for assistance as well, the two of them would go to the market and attempt to haggle for large shipments with some of the local merchants. Usually she didn’t find it too hard to deal with them, due to her title and position, but she knew in times of war, people like to up their prices, something she would not stand for. She would see her husband and his men as well supplied as she could, for as little money as she could.
She had risen early, finding her husband already gone from their bed, tending to his own duties no doubt. She dressed herself and decided that she would go and see if Athanasia was awake. If she was not yet, she would be soon. Yanni was determined to spend that day working, which meant that her daughter would be spending the day assisting her in such.
As she walked to her daughter’s room, she reflected on the days when Evras had been the one to help her with her tasks. The woman had been competent enough, Yanni had had no complaints. But now in her condition, and with the fresh attack her family had made on the King, Evras had been all but cut out of anything to do with the goings on in the Kotas family. Yanni did not know if Evras was involved in any of it, but her trust in the family the woman came from was zero, and she would not have her daughter in law privy to important information or tasks any more.
She made it to Athanasia’s room, knocking three times on the door, she stood and listened, waiting for some sign of movement from her daughter.
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Yanni was not looking forward to seeing her husband and sons march off once more, in fact her heart felt like it was breaking at the thought of losing any of them to this foolish war. Had she been a weaker woman, she would have begged her husband to stay home for this one. He wasn’t getting any younger, and the more times he went off at his age, the less likely it became that he would come home once more. He had returned to her every time, so she had to hold faith that this time would be no different. Besides, even if she had begged him to stay, she knew her husband and knew that it would not have done any good. He was a Kotas man, and the Kotas family had a long standing tradition of military history. Who was she to try and change that?
She tried to put her worry out of her mind. She had much to do as well, though she would be remaining safe at home while the men in her family marched off. She would make arrangements for supplies for them, anything she could do to take a bit of the pressure and work off of her husband. She intended to recruit her daughter for assistance as well, the two of them would go to the market and attempt to haggle for large shipments with some of the local merchants. Usually she didn’t find it too hard to deal with them, due to her title and position, but she knew in times of war, people like to up their prices, something she would not stand for. She would see her husband and his men as well supplied as she could, for as little money as she could.
She had risen early, finding her husband already gone from their bed, tending to his own duties no doubt. She dressed herself and decided that she would go and see if Athanasia was awake. If she was not yet, she would be soon. Yanni was determined to spend that day working, which meant that her daughter would be spending the day assisting her in such.
As she walked to her daughter’s room, she reflected on the days when Evras had been the one to help her with her tasks. The woman had been competent enough, Yanni had had no complaints. But now in her condition, and with the fresh attack her family had made on the King, Evras had been all but cut out of anything to do with the goings on in the Kotas family. Yanni did not know if Evras was involved in any of it, but her trust in the family the woman came from was zero, and she would not have her daughter in law privy to important information or tasks any more.
She made it to Athanasia’s room, knocking three times on the door, she stood and listened, waiting for some sign of movement from her daughter.
Yanni was not looking forward to seeing her husband and sons march off once more, in fact her heart felt like it was breaking at the thought of losing any of them to this foolish war. Had she been a weaker woman, she would have begged her husband to stay home for this one. He wasn’t getting any younger, and the more times he went off at his age, the less likely it became that he would come home once more. He had returned to her every time, so she had to hold faith that this time would be no different. Besides, even if she had begged him to stay, she knew her husband and knew that it would not have done any good. He was a Kotas man, and the Kotas family had a long standing tradition of military history. Who was she to try and change that?
She tried to put her worry out of her mind. She had much to do as well, though she would be remaining safe at home while the men in her family marched off. She would make arrangements for supplies for them, anything she could do to take a bit of the pressure and work off of her husband. She intended to recruit her daughter for assistance as well, the two of them would go to the market and attempt to haggle for large shipments with some of the local merchants. Usually she didn’t find it too hard to deal with them, due to her title and position, but she knew in times of war, people like to up their prices, something she would not stand for. She would see her husband and his men as well supplied as she could, for as little money as she could.
She had risen early, finding her husband already gone from their bed, tending to his own duties no doubt. She dressed herself and decided that she would go and see if Athanasia was awake. If she was not yet, she would be soon. Yanni was determined to spend that day working, which meant that her daughter would be spending the day assisting her in such.
As she walked to her daughter’s room, she reflected on the days when Evras had been the one to help her with her tasks. The woman had been competent enough, Yanni had had no complaints. But now in her condition, and with the fresh attack her family had made on the King, Evras had been all but cut out of anything to do with the goings on in the Kotas family. Yanni did not know if Evras was involved in any of it, but her trust in the family the woman came from was zero, and she would not have her daughter in law privy to important information or tasks any more.
She made it to Athanasia’s room, knocking three times on the door, she stood and listened, waiting for some sign of movement from her daughter.
Athanasia had never been prone to nightmares, but they had begun to plague her a few days ago. Her father and three of her brothers would be going to war soon and she knew that was what caused the horrible dreams. They were different every time but always ended with everyone in the Kotas family dead except for her. In most of them, she discovered the bodies of her brothers and parents one by one and they had usually been killed in gruesome ways. A Kotas to the core, she knew she would have to conquer the nightmares herself and not burden anyone else with them. She had already shown weakness once during her hunt with Vangelis. The princess was not going to do it again.
Lately she had been avoiding the possibility of nightmares. Unable to sleep for fear she would have one, Athanasia had taken to sneaking out into the city more often at night, usually pretending to be a traveling acrobat. The commoners she encountered on her forbidden excursions didn’t seem too worried about the war, even though many of them would be serving on the front lines. They seemed to take in in stride, and trusted in their King … her father … to protect them and lead them to victory. It did seem as if they drank more than they used to. Perhaps that was their way of dealing with their own fears.
She wasn’t able to sneak away every evening, but last night, it had been quite easy to leave the caste unseen. She had stayed out until the early hours of the morning. A pouch containing the money she had earned from performing was stuffed into the false bottom of one of her clothes chests. On her next trip to the lower levels, she would give it to the group of street urchins she was supporting. Because of her, they no longer had to steal to survive. She was also teaching them to read and write so that they get decent jobs when they grew up.
Upon returning to her chambers, she had fallen into bed exhausted and had not dreamed at all. She rarely did after spending her nights in the city. The trek down to the lower levels and then back up again drained most of her energy and she was able to sleep deeply.
A sharp rapping on the door woke her from her slumber. Had she overslept? She was generally up in time for breakfast. Sitting up, she looked over at the window across the room. Judging from the sun’s position, it was still quite early. Her handmaidens had not yet come to attend her, and there was nobody she could send to open it for her. With a sigh, the princess slid out of bed clad only in her sleeping tunic and walked into her sitting room and over to the door. Cracking it open it just a bit, she peeked out. If it was one of her brothers, she needed to slip on a chiton before letting them in.
However, it was the Queen who was standing in the hallway. “Mother!” she exclaimed, opening the door all the way so that Yanni could step inside. The last time Athanasia remembered her visiting her unannounced was when she had holed up in her room for days after they had found what everyone assumed was her father's body. “Is something wrong?”
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Athanasia had never been prone to nightmares, but they had begun to plague her a few days ago. Her father and three of her brothers would be going to war soon and she knew that was what caused the horrible dreams. They were different every time but always ended with everyone in the Kotas family dead except for her. In most of them, she discovered the bodies of her brothers and parents one by one and they had usually been killed in gruesome ways. A Kotas to the core, she knew she would have to conquer the nightmares herself and not burden anyone else with them. She had already shown weakness once during her hunt with Vangelis. The princess was not going to do it again.
Lately she had been avoiding the possibility of nightmares. Unable to sleep for fear she would have one, Athanasia had taken to sneaking out into the city more often at night, usually pretending to be a traveling acrobat. The commoners she encountered on her forbidden excursions didn’t seem too worried about the war, even though many of them would be serving on the front lines. They seemed to take in in stride, and trusted in their King … her father … to protect them and lead them to victory. It did seem as if they drank more than they used to. Perhaps that was their way of dealing with their own fears.
She wasn’t able to sneak away every evening, but last night, it had been quite easy to leave the caste unseen. She had stayed out until the early hours of the morning. A pouch containing the money she had earned from performing was stuffed into the false bottom of one of her clothes chests. On her next trip to the lower levels, she would give it to the group of street urchins she was supporting. Because of her, they no longer had to steal to survive. She was also teaching them to read and write so that they get decent jobs when they grew up.
Upon returning to her chambers, she had fallen into bed exhausted and had not dreamed at all. She rarely did after spending her nights in the city. The trek down to the lower levels and then back up again drained most of her energy and she was able to sleep deeply.
A sharp rapping on the door woke her from her slumber. Had she overslept? She was generally up in time for breakfast. Sitting up, she looked over at the window across the room. Judging from the sun’s position, it was still quite early. Her handmaidens had not yet come to attend her, and there was nobody she could send to open it for her. With a sigh, the princess slid out of bed clad only in her sleeping tunic and walked into her sitting room and over to the door. Cracking it open it just a bit, she peeked out. If it was one of her brothers, she needed to slip on a chiton before letting them in.
However, it was the Queen who was standing in the hallway. “Mother!” she exclaimed, opening the door all the way so that Yanni could step inside. The last time Athanasia remembered her visiting her unannounced was when she had holed up in her room for days after they had found what everyone assumed was her father's body. “Is something wrong?”
Athanasia had never been prone to nightmares, but they had begun to plague her a few days ago. Her father and three of her brothers would be going to war soon and she knew that was what caused the horrible dreams. They were different every time but always ended with everyone in the Kotas family dead except for her. In most of them, she discovered the bodies of her brothers and parents one by one and they had usually been killed in gruesome ways. A Kotas to the core, she knew she would have to conquer the nightmares herself and not burden anyone else with them. She had already shown weakness once during her hunt with Vangelis. The princess was not going to do it again.
Lately she had been avoiding the possibility of nightmares. Unable to sleep for fear she would have one, Athanasia had taken to sneaking out into the city more often at night, usually pretending to be a traveling acrobat. The commoners she encountered on her forbidden excursions didn’t seem too worried about the war, even though many of them would be serving on the front lines. They seemed to take in in stride, and trusted in their King … her father … to protect them and lead them to victory. It did seem as if they drank more than they used to. Perhaps that was their way of dealing with their own fears.
She wasn’t able to sneak away every evening, but last night, it had been quite easy to leave the caste unseen. She had stayed out until the early hours of the morning. A pouch containing the money she had earned from performing was stuffed into the false bottom of one of her clothes chests. On her next trip to the lower levels, she would give it to the group of street urchins she was supporting. Because of her, they no longer had to steal to survive. She was also teaching them to read and write so that they get decent jobs when they grew up.
Upon returning to her chambers, she had fallen into bed exhausted and had not dreamed at all. She rarely did after spending her nights in the city. The trek down to the lower levels and then back up again drained most of her energy and she was able to sleep deeply.
A sharp rapping on the door woke her from her slumber. Had she overslept? She was generally up in time for breakfast. Sitting up, she looked over at the window across the room. Judging from the sun’s position, it was still quite early. Her handmaidens had not yet come to attend her, and there was nobody she could send to open it for her. With a sigh, the princess slid out of bed clad only in her sleeping tunic and walked into her sitting room and over to the door. Cracking it open it just a bit, she peeked out. If it was one of her brothers, she needed to slip on a chiton before letting them in.
However, it was the Queen who was standing in the hallway. “Mother!” she exclaimed, opening the door all the way so that Yanni could step inside. The last time Athanasia remembered her visiting her unannounced was when she had holed up in her room for days after they had found what everyone assumed was her father's body. “Is something wrong?”
Yanni should have thought that her daughter might think something was wrong upon her visit, since typically she didn’t wake her daughter in her room. She quickly shook her head, wanting to soothe Asia before she panicked too bad.
“Nothing is wrong. I am simply here to rouse you from your sleep and request your assistance with my work today. You are old enough to learn, and it has been awhile since you have assisted me. “ She said simply. Her daughter would need to learn what it took to be a Queen, on the off chance she took the mantle some day, and also how to run a household, since she would be someone’s wife someday. Likely some day soon, since she was around the age that most women, especially nobles and royals, were married off.
She was only a bit younger than Yanni herself was when she had married Tython.
“See yourself to proper dress for the day, I will give you time.” She said, motioning for her daughter to retreat back into her room so that she could get ready in privacy. Yanni remained in the hallway as she waited. Yanni was patient, knowing that her daughter was usually good for being up on time and being quick about things. She was in no rush at the moment, having made sure the two of them had plenty of time to prepare for the day before they would tend to their duties.
When her daughter was dressed and emerged from her room once more, Yanni tucked a piece of stray hair behind the girls ear and gave her a smile. Her youngest child and her only daughter, Asia held a special place in her heart. She loved all of her children very much, but she had always held favour towards her oldest and youngest.
“We do not have much today, at least compared to the work I have had. I will let you take the lead on most things, since you have assisted me with them before.” She said simply, motioning for her daughter to follow her, she started down the hall of the manor and towards the back gardens.
Their first task was to tend to them, not necessarily themselves, but to ensure that the servants who tended the plants and kept them healthy and at a proper length had everything they needed. It was an easy enough task, but one that was important to making sure that the royal families house was clean and in order. Their image was important to uphold, which meant that the smallest details needed to be tended to. It was part of the game that was court, and part of what was necessary as the royal family.
“How was your sleep?” She asked, knowing that none of the family had been resting easily since they had thought Tython dead once more, and even his return hadn’t fully put any of them at ease. If anything it had brought up more questions than answers.
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This character is currently a work in progress.
Check out their information page here.
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Yanni should have thought that her daughter might think something was wrong upon her visit, since typically she didn’t wake her daughter in her room. She quickly shook her head, wanting to soothe Asia before she panicked too bad.
“Nothing is wrong. I am simply here to rouse you from your sleep and request your assistance with my work today. You are old enough to learn, and it has been awhile since you have assisted me. “ She said simply. Her daughter would need to learn what it took to be a Queen, on the off chance she took the mantle some day, and also how to run a household, since she would be someone’s wife someday. Likely some day soon, since she was around the age that most women, especially nobles and royals, were married off.
She was only a bit younger than Yanni herself was when she had married Tython.
“See yourself to proper dress for the day, I will give you time.” She said, motioning for her daughter to retreat back into her room so that she could get ready in privacy. Yanni remained in the hallway as she waited. Yanni was patient, knowing that her daughter was usually good for being up on time and being quick about things. She was in no rush at the moment, having made sure the two of them had plenty of time to prepare for the day before they would tend to their duties.
When her daughter was dressed and emerged from her room once more, Yanni tucked a piece of stray hair behind the girls ear and gave her a smile. Her youngest child and her only daughter, Asia held a special place in her heart. She loved all of her children very much, but she had always held favour towards her oldest and youngest.
“We do not have much today, at least compared to the work I have had. I will let you take the lead on most things, since you have assisted me with them before.” She said simply, motioning for her daughter to follow her, she started down the hall of the manor and towards the back gardens.
Their first task was to tend to them, not necessarily themselves, but to ensure that the servants who tended the plants and kept them healthy and at a proper length had everything they needed. It was an easy enough task, but one that was important to making sure that the royal families house was clean and in order. Their image was important to uphold, which meant that the smallest details needed to be tended to. It was part of the game that was court, and part of what was necessary as the royal family.
“How was your sleep?” She asked, knowing that none of the family had been resting easily since they had thought Tython dead once more, and even his return hadn’t fully put any of them at ease. If anything it had brought up more questions than answers.
Yanni should have thought that her daughter might think something was wrong upon her visit, since typically she didn’t wake her daughter in her room. She quickly shook her head, wanting to soothe Asia before she panicked too bad.
“Nothing is wrong. I am simply here to rouse you from your sleep and request your assistance with my work today. You are old enough to learn, and it has been awhile since you have assisted me. “ She said simply. Her daughter would need to learn what it took to be a Queen, on the off chance she took the mantle some day, and also how to run a household, since she would be someone’s wife someday. Likely some day soon, since she was around the age that most women, especially nobles and royals, were married off.
She was only a bit younger than Yanni herself was when she had married Tython.
“See yourself to proper dress for the day, I will give you time.” She said, motioning for her daughter to retreat back into her room so that she could get ready in privacy. Yanni remained in the hallway as she waited. Yanni was patient, knowing that her daughter was usually good for being up on time and being quick about things. She was in no rush at the moment, having made sure the two of them had plenty of time to prepare for the day before they would tend to their duties.
When her daughter was dressed and emerged from her room once more, Yanni tucked a piece of stray hair behind the girls ear and gave her a smile. Her youngest child and her only daughter, Asia held a special place in her heart. She loved all of her children very much, but she had always held favour towards her oldest and youngest.
“We do not have much today, at least compared to the work I have had. I will let you take the lead on most things, since you have assisted me with them before.” She said simply, motioning for her daughter to follow her, she started down the hall of the manor and towards the back gardens.
Their first task was to tend to them, not necessarily themselves, but to ensure that the servants who tended the plants and kept them healthy and at a proper length had everything they needed. It was an easy enough task, but one that was important to making sure that the royal families house was clean and in order. Their image was important to uphold, which meant that the smallest details needed to be tended to. It was part of the game that was court, and part of what was necessary as the royal family.
“How was your sleep?” She asked, knowing that none of the family had been resting easily since they had thought Tython dead once more, and even his return hadn’t fully put any of them at ease. If anything it had brought up more questions than answers.
Athanasia let out the breath she had not known she had been holding. Nothing was wrong. That was a huge relief. Ever since she had believed her father was gone forever, she had been on edge. Before that, she had never considered that anything horrible could happen to her family. Now she couldn’t forget how fragile life was. It only took a second for disaster to occur, and royals were particularly susceptible. All kings had targets on their back, and often their children did too. She didn’t fear for herself as she was a female and no threat to anyone, but her brothers, especially Vangelis, were always in danger. Even her mother could be assassinated.
I must quit dwelling on such morose thoughts, she told herself, mentally shaking herself. A genuine smile lit up her face at her mother’s request … or was it more of a command? “I can’t think of anything I would rather do more today, Mother,” she enthused. This was true. Her right wrist hurt from hitting the floor a bit too hard when she was turning a handspring. She wouldn’t be able to practice archery today or even ride her house. Helping her mother would also keep her mind occupied with positive things.
Though she had been loath to admit it at first, Athanasia enjoyed assisting her mother with her duties. As the only daughter in the family, she suspected that her parents would try to marry her as high on the social hierarchy as possible. If there was a kingdom they wished to ally with, the best way to do that was to marry her to the king or his eldest son. She wasn’t certain how she felt about becoming a queen … being watched all the time and held to the strictest of standards ... but if that was her destiny, it was best to be prepared for it.
“I promise I won’t be long.” Athanasia figured her mother would come in while she dressed, but she preferred to remain in the hallway. Perhaps she was testing her daughter to see if she would pick out appropriate attire without her guidance. One of her handmaidens appeared from around the corner and managed to curtsy deeply to the Queen while carrying a tray full of food. “I’ll eat while I dress,” the princess added, closing the door after the servant had entered.
And she did just that as her handmaiden dressed her in the light blue chiton she pulled from one of her clothing chests. The fabric was beautiful, embroidered at the edges with swirling designs worked in bright blue and silver thread. They were fastened at the shoulders with silver and sapphire fibulae. The apotygma, decorated with the same pattern of embroidery, fell to just below her waist, covering a simple rope belt. Her jewelry was also made out of silver and sapphires, a necklace, armbands, and a circlet denoting her status around her forehead. Her hair was left loose.
After a brief look into her mirror, Athanasia assured herself that she looked every inch a princess. Popping one more olive into her mouth and washing it down with a drink of cool fruit juice, she opened the door and joined her mother. “All ready,” she said with another smile, which turned sheepish when the Queen tucked a stray auburn-gold strand strand behind her ear. Perhaps I should have braided it so it wouldn't get in the way.
So she would not be learning something new today but practicing what she had already been taught. That was fine with her. She just hoped she didn’t make any glaring mistakes. Pleasing her mother was important to the young princess. She admired the Queen greatly and loved her dearly. They were heading toward the back gardens, most likely to make sure they were in order. It was the outdoor tasks that Athanasia enjoyed the most, though she didn’t think she had ever mentioned that to her mother.
When asked how she had slept, she sighed. “I’ve been having nightmares lately. I never had them until we believed that Father met a watery demise. Now they torment me frequently, but It's nothing that I can’t handle. If I don’t let them get to me, they will eventually go away.” Unfortunately, that was easier said than done.
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Athanasia let out the breath she had not known she had been holding. Nothing was wrong. That was a huge relief. Ever since she had believed her father was gone forever, she had been on edge. Before that, she had never considered that anything horrible could happen to her family. Now she couldn’t forget how fragile life was. It only took a second for disaster to occur, and royals were particularly susceptible. All kings had targets on their back, and often their children did too. She didn’t fear for herself as she was a female and no threat to anyone, but her brothers, especially Vangelis, were always in danger. Even her mother could be assassinated.
I must quit dwelling on such morose thoughts, she told herself, mentally shaking herself. A genuine smile lit up her face at her mother’s request … or was it more of a command? “I can’t think of anything I would rather do more today, Mother,” she enthused. This was true. Her right wrist hurt from hitting the floor a bit too hard when she was turning a handspring. She wouldn’t be able to practice archery today or even ride her house. Helping her mother would also keep her mind occupied with positive things.
Though she had been loath to admit it at first, Athanasia enjoyed assisting her mother with her duties. As the only daughter in the family, she suspected that her parents would try to marry her as high on the social hierarchy as possible. If there was a kingdom they wished to ally with, the best way to do that was to marry her to the king or his eldest son. She wasn’t certain how she felt about becoming a queen … being watched all the time and held to the strictest of standards ... but if that was her destiny, it was best to be prepared for it.
“I promise I won’t be long.” Athanasia figured her mother would come in while she dressed, but she preferred to remain in the hallway. Perhaps she was testing her daughter to see if she would pick out appropriate attire without her guidance. One of her handmaidens appeared from around the corner and managed to curtsy deeply to the Queen while carrying a tray full of food. “I’ll eat while I dress,” the princess added, closing the door after the servant had entered.
And she did just that as her handmaiden dressed her in the light blue chiton she pulled from one of her clothing chests. The fabric was beautiful, embroidered at the edges with swirling designs worked in bright blue and silver thread. They were fastened at the shoulders with silver and sapphire fibulae. The apotygma, decorated with the same pattern of embroidery, fell to just below her waist, covering a simple rope belt. Her jewelry was also made out of silver and sapphires, a necklace, armbands, and a circlet denoting her status around her forehead. Her hair was left loose.
After a brief look into her mirror, Athanasia assured herself that she looked every inch a princess. Popping one more olive into her mouth and washing it down with a drink of cool fruit juice, she opened the door and joined her mother. “All ready,” she said with another smile, which turned sheepish when the Queen tucked a stray auburn-gold strand strand behind her ear. Perhaps I should have braided it so it wouldn't get in the way.
So she would not be learning something new today but practicing what she had already been taught. That was fine with her. She just hoped she didn’t make any glaring mistakes. Pleasing her mother was important to the young princess. She admired the Queen greatly and loved her dearly. They were heading toward the back gardens, most likely to make sure they were in order. It was the outdoor tasks that Athanasia enjoyed the most, though she didn’t think she had ever mentioned that to her mother.
When asked how she had slept, she sighed. “I’ve been having nightmares lately. I never had them until we believed that Father met a watery demise. Now they torment me frequently, but It's nothing that I can’t handle. If I don’t let them get to me, they will eventually go away.” Unfortunately, that was easier said than done.
Athanasia let out the breath she had not known she had been holding. Nothing was wrong. That was a huge relief. Ever since she had believed her father was gone forever, she had been on edge. Before that, she had never considered that anything horrible could happen to her family. Now she couldn’t forget how fragile life was. It only took a second for disaster to occur, and royals were particularly susceptible. All kings had targets on their back, and often their children did too. She didn’t fear for herself as she was a female and no threat to anyone, but her brothers, especially Vangelis, were always in danger. Even her mother could be assassinated.
I must quit dwelling on such morose thoughts, she told herself, mentally shaking herself. A genuine smile lit up her face at her mother’s request … or was it more of a command? “I can’t think of anything I would rather do more today, Mother,” she enthused. This was true. Her right wrist hurt from hitting the floor a bit too hard when she was turning a handspring. She wouldn’t be able to practice archery today or even ride her house. Helping her mother would also keep her mind occupied with positive things.
Though she had been loath to admit it at first, Athanasia enjoyed assisting her mother with her duties. As the only daughter in the family, she suspected that her parents would try to marry her as high on the social hierarchy as possible. If there was a kingdom they wished to ally with, the best way to do that was to marry her to the king or his eldest son. She wasn’t certain how she felt about becoming a queen … being watched all the time and held to the strictest of standards ... but if that was her destiny, it was best to be prepared for it.
“I promise I won’t be long.” Athanasia figured her mother would come in while she dressed, but she preferred to remain in the hallway. Perhaps she was testing her daughter to see if she would pick out appropriate attire without her guidance. One of her handmaidens appeared from around the corner and managed to curtsy deeply to the Queen while carrying a tray full of food. “I’ll eat while I dress,” the princess added, closing the door after the servant had entered.
And she did just that as her handmaiden dressed her in the light blue chiton she pulled from one of her clothing chests. The fabric was beautiful, embroidered at the edges with swirling designs worked in bright blue and silver thread. They were fastened at the shoulders with silver and sapphire fibulae. The apotygma, decorated with the same pattern of embroidery, fell to just below her waist, covering a simple rope belt. Her jewelry was also made out of silver and sapphires, a necklace, armbands, and a circlet denoting her status around her forehead. Her hair was left loose.
After a brief look into her mirror, Athanasia assured herself that she looked every inch a princess. Popping one more olive into her mouth and washing it down with a drink of cool fruit juice, she opened the door and joined her mother. “All ready,” she said with another smile, which turned sheepish when the Queen tucked a stray auburn-gold strand strand behind her ear. Perhaps I should have braided it so it wouldn't get in the way.
So she would not be learning something new today but practicing what she had already been taught. That was fine with her. She just hoped she didn’t make any glaring mistakes. Pleasing her mother was important to the young princess. She admired the Queen greatly and loved her dearly. They were heading toward the back gardens, most likely to make sure they were in order. It was the outdoor tasks that Athanasia enjoyed the most, though she didn’t think she had ever mentioned that to her mother.
When asked how she had slept, she sighed. “I’ve been having nightmares lately. I never had them until we believed that Father met a watery demise. Now they torment me frequently, but It's nothing that I can’t handle. If I don’t let them get to me, they will eventually go away.” Unfortunately, that was easier said than done.
Yanni waited in the hallway for her daughter to dress, wishing to give her some privacy and let her be independent in her choices. She often had to remind herself that her children were too old now to need her guidance as they had in past years. Now all adults themselves, Yanni had taken on a different role as a mother, one that had seen that her children lead their own lives and made their own decisions without her.
As they made their way towards the back garden, Yanni couldn’t help the memory that came up, a pleasant one of her first meeting with Tython, shortly before they wed. She remembered asking him to take her on a tour of these very grounds, which now served as her escape when she needed them. Not as lush and green as her homelands, the fresh air and the plant life at least brought the Queen some peace that was much needed on some days.
She gave her daughter an understanding look as she spoke of nightmares. Yanni had them as well, they had begun after the first time she believed her husband dead in battle, many years ago, and had plagued her most nights since then. She didn’t think she had ever given any indication of such things, not even her husband was aware of why most nights when he actually slept in their bed, she would cling close to him. As if he would just disappear if she didn’t.
Yanni had spent most of her life worrying for her husband, and eventually worrying the same for her sons. It weighed heavy on her through the years, though she had not shown such things to anyone.
“We must remain strong. It is fate that some day even the greatest men will fall. It is the way of life and the will of the Gods.” She said simply, hoping that in some way her words might give her daughter some sort of comfort. She knew it was not easy to hear, but Tython would die, likely in battle. As would Vang, Yiannis, Silas....
She just hoped those days would come when she herself was long gone from the world. She could not bear the thought of losing any of them.
“Come, let us not dwell on such things.” Yanni said as they exited the manor and made their way towards the servants who were in charge of taking care of the bit of greenery that made up the back garden of the Kotas household.
“I will leave this to you, today I am nothing but a shadow.” She said, motioning her daughter forward to conduct the necessary business with the gardeners. She was there if she was needed, but she wanted Asia to be able to handle things on her own, to show that she had been listening and learning all these years and she was ready for the day when she would be in charge of her own household. It was not much older than Asia that Yanni had married Tython and had taken on such responsibilities after the unfortunate death of her mother in law shortly after she had married in to the family.
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Yanni waited in the hallway for her daughter to dress, wishing to give her some privacy and let her be independent in her choices. She often had to remind herself that her children were too old now to need her guidance as they had in past years. Now all adults themselves, Yanni had taken on a different role as a mother, one that had seen that her children lead their own lives and made their own decisions without her.
As they made their way towards the back garden, Yanni couldn’t help the memory that came up, a pleasant one of her first meeting with Tython, shortly before they wed. She remembered asking him to take her on a tour of these very grounds, which now served as her escape when she needed them. Not as lush and green as her homelands, the fresh air and the plant life at least brought the Queen some peace that was much needed on some days.
She gave her daughter an understanding look as she spoke of nightmares. Yanni had them as well, they had begun after the first time she believed her husband dead in battle, many years ago, and had plagued her most nights since then. She didn’t think she had ever given any indication of such things, not even her husband was aware of why most nights when he actually slept in their bed, she would cling close to him. As if he would just disappear if she didn’t.
Yanni had spent most of her life worrying for her husband, and eventually worrying the same for her sons. It weighed heavy on her through the years, though she had not shown such things to anyone.
“We must remain strong. It is fate that some day even the greatest men will fall. It is the way of life and the will of the Gods.” She said simply, hoping that in some way her words might give her daughter some sort of comfort. She knew it was not easy to hear, but Tython would die, likely in battle. As would Vang, Yiannis, Silas....
She just hoped those days would come when she herself was long gone from the world. She could not bear the thought of losing any of them.
“Come, let us not dwell on such things.” Yanni said as they exited the manor and made their way towards the servants who were in charge of taking care of the bit of greenery that made up the back garden of the Kotas household.
“I will leave this to you, today I am nothing but a shadow.” She said, motioning her daughter forward to conduct the necessary business with the gardeners. She was there if she was needed, but she wanted Asia to be able to handle things on her own, to show that she had been listening and learning all these years and she was ready for the day when she would be in charge of her own household. It was not much older than Asia that Yanni had married Tython and had taken on such responsibilities after the unfortunate death of her mother in law shortly after she had married in to the family.
Yanni waited in the hallway for her daughter to dress, wishing to give her some privacy and let her be independent in her choices. She often had to remind herself that her children were too old now to need her guidance as they had in past years. Now all adults themselves, Yanni had taken on a different role as a mother, one that had seen that her children lead their own lives and made their own decisions without her.
As they made their way towards the back garden, Yanni couldn’t help the memory that came up, a pleasant one of her first meeting with Tython, shortly before they wed. She remembered asking him to take her on a tour of these very grounds, which now served as her escape when she needed them. Not as lush and green as her homelands, the fresh air and the plant life at least brought the Queen some peace that was much needed on some days.
She gave her daughter an understanding look as she spoke of nightmares. Yanni had them as well, they had begun after the first time she believed her husband dead in battle, many years ago, and had plagued her most nights since then. She didn’t think she had ever given any indication of such things, not even her husband was aware of why most nights when he actually slept in their bed, she would cling close to him. As if he would just disappear if she didn’t.
Yanni had spent most of her life worrying for her husband, and eventually worrying the same for her sons. It weighed heavy on her through the years, though she had not shown such things to anyone.
“We must remain strong. It is fate that some day even the greatest men will fall. It is the way of life and the will of the Gods.” She said simply, hoping that in some way her words might give her daughter some sort of comfort. She knew it was not easy to hear, but Tython would die, likely in battle. As would Vang, Yiannis, Silas....
She just hoped those days would come when she herself was long gone from the world. She could not bear the thought of losing any of them.
“Come, let us not dwell on such things.” Yanni said as they exited the manor and made their way towards the servants who were in charge of taking care of the bit of greenery that made up the back garden of the Kotas household.
“I will leave this to you, today I am nothing but a shadow.” She said, motioning her daughter forward to conduct the necessary business with the gardeners. She was there if she was needed, but she wanted Asia to be able to handle things on her own, to show that she had been listening and learning all these years and she was ready for the day when she would be in charge of her own household. It was not much older than Asia that Yanni had married Tython and had taken on such responsibilities after the unfortunate death of her mother in law shortly after she had married in to the family.
Her mother seemed to understand why she was having nightmares. Does she have them too? Probably. My father and brothers have gone to battle many times. She must spend her life in a constant state of worry. The Queen was a perfect example of a Kotas woman, though she had not been born into the royal House. She controlled her composure so well that not even her own daughter knew her true feelings.
She had been faced with the possibility of losing her husband and sons since long before Athanasia had every been born and had kept it from her so that she would not feel the same way. Why, she wondered, had she never worried about the male members of her family before? Was it because they had always returned, mostly unharmed? Or because one or more of them had been in the military all of her life and she considered it normal for them to go off and fight? It had taken her father’s faked death to realize that they were mortal and by no means invincible. Now she felt silly for ever believing they were. How naive she had been!
Her mother’s words were both comforting and alarming. The Queen had come to terms with the very real prospect of losing her husband and sons. Athanasia knew that she must do the same. I don’t have my mother’s emotional strength … not even half of it. How can I learn to be more like her?
For the first time, she contemplated the notion that her father doted on her because he was aware that every time he went to battle, he might not return and wished her to have fond memories of him. And all I did was balk at the way he treated me. I shouldn’t have been so selfish. The young princess had already promised not to complain about that anymore. Now she would also try to enjoy it.
“I am trying to be strong,” she confessed. “But it’s hard. I go to the Temple of Ares when I can to pray for them. I guess that is the best thing I can do. I will pray every day while they are gone.” The men who went to war had it bad, but sometimes Athanasia thought that the women they left behind had it worse. The soldiers were able to plan and fight and be proactive, while all the women could do was wait.
“Yes, of course,” Athanasia agreed as they stepped out into the small garden, lifting her face to the sun. She nodded when the Queen said she would be in charge of inspecting the grounds. Usually she let her mother take the lead. She hoped she wouldn’t completely muck it up.
Squaring her shoulders, she walked around and inspected the garden, going over every bush and flowering plant before sending a servant to fetch the gardeners. They lined up before her and bowed to her in unison. “You're getting sloppy," she chastised them in her typical blunt manner. "There are weeds threatening to choke some of the smaller plants. They need pulling right away. There is also a large limb that is hanging from the branch of a tree. If it isn’t removed, it will fall in the next storm, if not before. And the hedges should be trimmed evenly so that they are all the same size."
The princess glanced over at her mother. “Did I miss something?” She didn't see how irritated and angry the gardeners looked after her reprimand.
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Her mother seemed to understand why she was having nightmares. Does she have them too? Probably. My father and brothers have gone to battle many times. She must spend her life in a constant state of worry. The Queen was a perfect example of a Kotas woman, though she had not been born into the royal House. She controlled her composure so well that not even her own daughter knew her true feelings.
She had been faced with the possibility of losing her husband and sons since long before Athanasia had every been born and had kept it from her so that she would not feel the same way. Why, she wondered, had she never worried about the male members of her family before? Was it because they had always returned, mostly unharmed? Or because one or more of them had been in the military all of her life and she considered it normal for them to go off and fight? It had taken her father’s faked death to realize that they were mortal and by no means invincible. Now she felt silly for ever believing they were. How naive she had been!
Her mother’s words were both comforting and alarming. The Queen had come to terms with the very real prospect of losing her husband and sons. Athanasia knew that she must do the same. I don’t have my mother’s emotional strength … not even half of it. How can I learn to be more like her?
For the first time, she contemplated the notion that her father doted on her because he was aware that every time he went to battle, he might not return and wished her to have fond memories of him. And all I did was balk at the way he treated me. I shouldn’t have been so selfish. The young princess had already promised not to complain about that anymore. Now she would also try to enjoy it.
“I am trying to be strong,” she confessed. “But it’s hard. I go to the Temple of Ares when I can to pray for them. I guess that is the best thing I can do. I will pray every day while they are gone.” The men who went to war had it bad, but sometimes Athanasia thought that the women they left behind had it worse. The soldiers were able to plan and fight and be proactive, while all the women could do was wait.
“Yes, of course,” Athanasia agreed as they stepped out into the small garden, lifting her face to the sun. She nodded when the Queen said she would be in charge of inspecting the grounds. Usually she let her mother take the lead. She hoped she wouldn’t completely muck it up.
Squaring her shoulders, she walked around and inspected the garden, going over every bush and flowering plant before sending a servant to fetch the gardeners. They lined up before her and bowed to her in unison. “You're getting sloppy," she chastised them in her typical blunt manner. "There are weeds threatening to choke some of the smaller plants. They need pulling right away. There is also a large limb that is hanging from the branch of a tree. If it isn’t removed, it will fall in the next storm, if not before. And the hedges should be trimmed evenly so that they are all the same size."
The princess glanced over at her mother. “Did I miss something?” She didn't see how irritated and angry the gardeners looked after her reprimand.
Her mother seemed to understand why she was having nightmares. Does she have them too? Probably. My father and brothers have gone to battle many times. She must spend her life in a constant state of worry. The Queen was a perfect example of a Kotas woman, though she had not been born into the royal House. She controlled her composure so well that not even her own daughter knew her true feelings.
She had been faced with the possibility of losing her husband and sons since long before Athanasia had every been born and had kept it from her so that she would not feel the same way. Why, she wondered, had she never worried about the male members of her family before? Was it because they had always returned, mostly unharmed? Or because one or more of them had been in the military all of her life and she considered it normal for them to go off and fight? It had taken her father’s faked death to realize that they were mortal and by no means invincible. Now she felt silly for ever believing they were. How naive she had been!
Her mother’s words were both comforting and alarming. The Queen had come to terms with the very real prospect of losing her husband and sons. Athanasia knew that she must do the same. I don’t have my mother’s emotional strength … not even half of it. How can I learn to be more like her?
For the first time, she contemplated the notion that her father doted on her because he was aware that every time he went to battle, he might not return and wished her to have fond memories of him. And all I did was balk at the way he treated me. I shouldn’t have been so selfish. The young princess had already promised not to complain about that anymore. Now she would also try to enjoy it.
“I am trying to be strong,” she confessed. “But it’s hard. I go to the Temple of Ares when I can to pray for them. I guess that is the best thing I can do. I will pray every day while they are gone.” The men who went to war had it bad, but sometimes Athanasia thought that the women they left behind had it worse. The soldiers were able to plan and fight and be proactive, while all the women could do was wait.
“Yes, of course,” Athanasia agreed as they stepped out into the small garden, lifting her face to the sun. She nodded when the Queen said she would be in charge of inspecting the grounds. Usually she let her mother take the lead. She hoped she wouldn’t completely muck it up.
Squaring her shoulders, she walked around and inspected the garden, going over every bush and flowering plant before sending a servant to fetch the gardeners. They lined up before her and bowed to her in unison. “You're getting sloppy," she chastised them in her typical blunt manner. "There are weeds threatening to choke some of the smaller plants. They need pulling right away. There is also a large limb that is hanging from the branch of a tree. If it isn’t removed, it will fall in the next storm, if not before. And the hedges should be trimmed evenly so that they are all the same size."
The princess glanced over at her mother. “Did I miss something?” She didn't see how irritated and angry the gardeners looked after her reprimand.
Yanni gave her daughter a small smile as she stated that she prayed for her father and brothers often. Yanni did the same, attending the temples as often as she could, asking the Gods to bring her family back home safely to her. The last time that she had done so, she had prayed that her husband would stay home for this one, that he would stay at her side and let their sons take the lead. Though she knew not even the Gods could stop Tython of Kotas leaving for war. He was born for war, and he would die to it. As was the way of Colchis men.
Yanni let the conversation fall now, and watched instead as her daughter took charge and Yanni made sure that she was doing things properly. She trusted her daughter with her duties for the most part, but she knew that mistakes could be made, and perhaps Athanasia had not been paying enough attention to what she was taught when Yanni had taught her.
Yanni watched as Asia chastised the gardeners and she could see how angry the gardeners were getting at being told off by the young woman. She might be much younger than them, but she was also a Princess, and they needed reminding that she was in fact in charge of each and every one of them. She could replace them easy enough, and they would find themselves doing a much more unpleasant job, or perhaps they would find themselves in the mines if they did not find use elsewhere.
“The princess is correct in saying you have been sloppy with your work.” She reiterated, her tone sharp, one reserved for Queenly duties when some discipline was needed.
“She has told you what is wrong, fix it.” Yanni said, and the gardeners hurried off to get the tools they needed to do what was asked at the risk of pissing off the Queen.
When the gardners left them, Yanni gave her daughter a soft smile.
“You did well. You spotted and mentioned everything.” She stated, praising her daughter for her observant walk through the gardens. That was what she wanted to see, her daughter starting to take responsibility. She was a woman now, and she would some day soon hopefully be a wife and be in charge of her own household, she needed to know these things. These were the responsibilities of a wife, especially if her husband is a man of the military.
“Come, let us walk the grounds. We will check the patrols, ensure that none of our guards are sleeping at their post or late for shift change.” She stated, motioning her daughter over to walk with her before she set off in the direction of the front of the house. They would start there, inspecting the guards at the front and then looping around and ending back at the front of the house before going inside.
“What are your thoughts on your eventual marriage?” She asked as they walk, curious as to where her daughter stood on the topic. She knew that marrying someone and leaving your home was not easy, she had married someone who was practically a stranger, and moved to a completely different land when she was younger than her daughter is now.
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Yanni gave her daughter a small smile as she stated that she prayed for her father and brothers often. Yanni did the same, attending the temples as often as she could, asking the Gods to bring her family back home safely to her. The last time that she had done so, she had prayed that her husband would stay home for this one, that he would stay at her side and let their sons take the lead. Though she knew not even the Gods could stop Tython of Kotas leaving for war. He was born for war, and he would die to it. As was the way of Colchis men.
Yanni let the conversation fall now, and watched instead as her daughter took charge and Yanni made sure that she was doing things properly. She trusted her daughter with her duties for the most part, but she knew that mistakes could be made, and perhaps Athanasia had not been paying enough attention to what she was taught when Yanni had taught her.
Yanni watched as Asia chastised the gardeners and she could see how angry the gardeners were getting at being told off by the young woman. She might be much younger than them, but she was also a Princess, and they needed reminding that she was in fact in charge of each and every one of them. She could replace them easy enough, and they would find themselves doing a much more unpleasant job, or perhaps they would find themselves in the mines if they did not find use elsewhere.
“The princess is correct in saying you have been sloppy with your work.” She reiterated, her tone sharp, one reserved for Queenly duties when some discipline was needed.
“She has told you what is wrong, fix it.” Yanni said, and the gardeners hurried off to get the tools they needed to do what was asked at the risk of pissing off the Queen.
When the gardners left them, Yanni gave her daughter a soft smile.
“You did well. You spotted and mentioned everything.” She stated, praising her daughter for her observant walk through the gardens. That was what she wanted to see, her daughter starting to take responsibility. She was a woman now, and she would some day soon hopefully be a wife and be in charge of her own household, she needed to know these things. These were the responsibilities of a wife, especially if her husband is a man of the military.
“Come, let us walk the grounds. We will check the patrols, ensure that none of our guards are sleeping at their post or late for shift change.” She stated, motioning her daughter over to walk with her before she set off in the direction of the front of the house. They would start there, inspecting the guards at the front and then looping around and ending back at the front of the house before going inside.
“What are your thoughts on your eventual marriage?” She asked as they walk, curious as to where her daughter stood on the topic. She knew that marrying someone and leaving your home was not easy, she had married someone who was practically a stranger, and moved to a completely different land when she was younger than her daughter is now.
Yanni gave her daughter a small smile as she stated that she prayed for her father and brothers often. Yanni did the same, attending the temples as often as she could, asking the Gods to bring her family back home safely to her. The last time that she had done so, she had prayed that her husband would stay home for this one, that he would stay at her side and let their sons take the lead. Though she knew not even the Gods could stop Tython of Kotas leaving for war. He was born for war, and he would die to it. As was the way of Colchis men.
Yanni let the conversation fall now, and watched instead as her daughter took charge and Yanni made sure that she was doing things properly. She trusted her daughter with her duties for the most part, but she knew that mistakes could be made, and perhaps Athanasia had not been paying enough attention to what she was taught when Yanni had taught her.
Yanni watched as Asia chastised the gardeners and she could see how angry the gardeners were getting at being told off by the young woman. She might be much younger than them, but she was also a Princess, and they needed reminding that she was in fact in charge of each and every one of them. She could replace them easy enough, and they would find themselves doing a much more unpleasant job, or perhaps they would find themselves in the mines if they did not find use elsewhere.
“The princess is correct in saying you have been sloppy with your work.” She reiterated, her tone sharp, one reserved for Queenly duties when some discipline was needed.
“She has told you what is wrong, fix it.” Yanni said, and the gardeners hurried off to get the tools they needed to do what was asked at the risk of pissing off the Queen.
When the gardners left them, Yanni gave her daughter a soft smile.
“You did well. You spotted and mentioned everything.” She stated, praising her daughter for her observant walk through the gardens. That was what she wanted to see, her daughter starting to take responsibility. She was a woman now, and she would some day soon hopefully be a wife and be in charge of her own household, she needed to know these things. These were the responsibilities of a wife, especially if her husband is a man of the military.
“Come, let us walk the grounds. We will check the patrols, ensure that none of our guards are sleeping at their post or late for shift change.” She stated, motioning her daughter over to walk with her before she set off in the direction of the front of the house. They would start there, inspecting the guards at the front and then looping around and ending back at the front of the house before going inside.
“What are your thoughts on your eventual marriage?” She asked as they walk, curious as to where her daughter stood on the topic. She knew that marrying someone and leaving your home was not easy, she had married someone who was practically a stranger, and moved to a completely different land when she was younger than her daughter is now.
Athanasia held her breath after she asked her mother if she had missed something. She was still learning how to manage a household and she had already made a few mistakes since her mother had begun to teach her. Evras had always assisted the Queen, flawlessly and effortlessly, or at least that was how it looked to her. The princess knew that it was unfair to compare herself to her sister-in-law. She had been practicing since Athanasia was a child. Had she found it difficult when she was learning too? Maybe she had been more nervous, as she had not been born royal, yet had to perform the duties of one. And there had been the matter of their families, which had never been on good terms. If Evras could overcome those odds, then I shouldn’t have anything to worry about.
As she waited for the Queen’s answer, she noticed the angry looks on the faces of the gardeners. She doubted they looked like that when Evras told them off. But would she? No, she would probably have praised them for what they did right and then gently pointed out what they had done wrong. Tact had never been Athanasia’s strong point, and she had a habit of speaking her mind without thinking first. I need to learn how to be more considerate of other people’s feelings. No servant in his right mind would quit working for a royal house, but they could talk about her callousness behind her back. She would most likely be a foreigner in her husband’s kingdom and making a good impression, even on the lowest slave, was important.
The young princess’ breath whooshed out of her when her mother repeated her own words and sent the gardeners off to correct their errors. Maybe I was not too harsh, after all. Perhaps all she lacked was the Queen’s authoritative tone of voice. Her mother knew well how to get things done. Would she be as self-assured herself someday? Would she look back on this time of her life and have a good laugh? She was just beginning to learn how to handle the responsibilities of a queen, Everybody had to start somewhere, She was being too hard on herself.
Athanasia smiled at her mother’s praise. “Thank you, Mother. I thought maybe I was being too hard on them because of how irritated they were with me. I wish I had your confidence.” Generally she would never admit such a thing, but with the Queen, she could let down her guard. Her mother knew her better than anyone else.
“Come, let us walk the grounds. We will check the patrols, ensure that none of our guards are sleeping at their post or late for shift change.”
Athanasia nodded and joined the Queen, walking beside her as she headed toward the front of the house. Was that all her mother wanted to do, or was she about to be reprimanded? She knew that the Queen would chastise her if she woke up sleeping guards the way she wanted to … by blowing in their faces or throwing a rock at them. The princess chuckled to herself at that notion. It would be even more fun to shoot an arrow that embedded itself right beside them. That would certainly get their attention, though her mother would never approve.
“What are your thoughts on your eventual marriage?”
The question stunned her but true to her Kotas nature, her surprise did not show on her face. Since she had been assisting the Queen, she had been thinking of her future quite often, and she was not sure how she felt about it. Marriage was unknown territory and the unknown was always frightening. And she was extremely baffled by the opposite sex. She found men attractive but had yet to meet one who made her swoon.
“I’ve been thinking about my future a lot lately,” Athanasia admitted. “I know you are teaching me how to run a royal household so that I will be ready when the time comes and I accept my duty to marry whomever Father chooses for me.” She smiled slightly. “I'm not really sure what I feel. I haven’t had much experience with men and well … they confuse me.”
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Athanasia held her breath after she asked her mother if she had missed something. She was still learning how to manage a household and she had already made a few mistakes since her mother had begun to teach her. Evras had always assisted the Queen, flawlessly and effortlessly, or at least that was how it looked to her. The princess knew that it was unfair to compare herself to her sister-in-law. She had been practicing since Athanasia was a child. Had she found it difficult when she was learning too? Maybe she had been more nervous, as she had not been born royal, yet had to perform the duties of one. And there had been the matter of their families, which had never been on good terms. If Evras could overcome those odds, then I shouldn’t have anything to worry about.
As she waited for the Queen’s answer, she noticed the angry looks on the faces of the gardeners. She doubted they looked like that when Evras told them off. But would she? No, she would probably have praised them for what they did right and then gently pointed out what they had done wrong. Tact had never been Athanasia’s strong point, and she had a habit of speaking her mind without thinking first. I need to learn how to be more considerate of other people’s feelings. No servant in his right mind would quit working for a royal house, but they could talk about her callousness behind her back. She would most likely be a foreigner in her husband’s kingdom and making a good impression, even on the lowest slave, was important.
The young princess’ breath whooshed out of her when her mother repeated her own words and sent the gardeners off to correct their errors. Maybe I was not too harsh, after all. Perhaps all she lacked was the Queen’s authoritative tone of voice. Her mother knew well how to get things done. Would she be as self-assured herself someday? Would she look back on this time of her life and have a good laugh? She was just beginning to learn how to handle the responsibilities of a queen, Everybody had to start somewhere, She was being too hard on herself.
Athanasia smiled at her mother’s praise. “Thank you, Mother. I thought maybe I was being too hard on them because of how irritated they were with me. I wish I had your confidence.” Generally she would never admit such a thing, but with the Queen, she could let down her guard. Her mother knew her better than anyone else.
“Come, let us walk the grounds. We will check the patrols, ensure that none of our guards are sleeping at their post or late for shift change.”
Athanasia nodded and joined the Queen, walking beside her as she headed toward the front of the house. Was that all her mother wanted to do, or was she about to be reprimanded? She knew that the Queen would chastise her if she woke up sleeping guards the way she wanted to … by blowing in their faces or throwing a rock at them. The princess chuckled to herself at that notion. It would be even more fun to shoot an arrow that embedded itself right beside them. That would certainly get their attention, though her mother would never approve.
“What are your thoughts on your eventual marriage?”
The question stunned her but true to her Kotas nature, her surprise did not show on her face. Since she had been assisting the Queen, she had been thinking of her future quite often, and she was not sure how she felt about it. Marriage was unknown territory and the unknown was always frightening. And she was extremely baffled by the opposite sex. She found men attractive but had yet to meet one who made her swoon.
“I’ve been thinking about my future a lot lately,” Athanasia admitted. “I know you are teaching me how to run a royal household so that I will be ready when the time comes and I accept my duty to marry whomever Father chooses for me.” She smiled slightly. “I'm not really sure what I feel. I haven’t had much experience with men and well … they confuse me.”
Athanasia held her breath after she asked her mother if she had missed something. She was still learning how to manage a household and she had already made a few mistakes since her mother had begun to teach her. Evras had always assisted the Queen, flawlessly and effortlessly, or at least that was how it looked to her. The princess knew that it was unfair to compare herself to her sister-in-law. She had been practicing since Athanasia was a child. Had she found it difficult when she was learning too? Maybe she had been more nervous, as she had not been born royal, yet had to perform the duties of one. And there had been the matter of their families, which had never been on good terms. If Evras could overcome those odds, then I shouldn’t have anything to worry about.
As she waited for the Queen’s answer, she noticed the angry looks on the faces of the gardeners. She doubted they looked like that when Evras told them off. But would she? No, she would probably have praised them for what they did right and then gently pointed out what they had done wrong. Tact had never been Athanasia’s strong point, and she had a habit of speaking her mind without thinking first. I need to learn how to be more considerate of other people’s feelings. No servant in his right mind would quit working for a royal house, but they could talk about her callousness behind her back. She would most likely be a foreigner in her husband’s kingdom and making a good impression, even on the lowest slave, was important.
The young princess’ breath whooshed out of her when her mother repeated her own words and sent the gardeners off to correct their errors. Maybe I was not too harsh, after all. Perhaps all she lacked was the Queen’s authoritative tone of voice. Her mother knew well how to get things done. Would she be as self-assured herself someday? Would she look back on this time of her life and have a good laugh? She was just beginning to learn how to handle the responsibilities of a queen, Everybody had to start somewhere, She was being too hard on herself.
Athanasia smiled at her mother’s praise. “Thank you, Mother. I thought maybe I was being too hard on them because of how irritated they were with me. I wish I had your confidence.” Generally she would never admit such a thing, but with the Queen, she could let down her guard. Her mother knew her better than anyone else.
“Come, let us walk the grounds. We will check the patrols, ensure that none of our guards are sleeping at their post or late for shift change.”
Athanasia nodded and joined the Queen, walking beside her as she headed toward the front of the house. Was that all her mother wanted to do, or was she about to be reprimanded? She knew that the Queen would chastise her if she woke up sleeping guards the way she wanted to … by blowing in their faces or throwing a rock at them. The princess chuckled to herself at that notion. It would be even more fun to shoot an arrow that embedded itself right beside them. That would certainly get their attention, though her mother would never approve.
“What are your thoughts on your eventual marriage?”
The question stunned her but true to her Kotas nature, her surprise did not show on her face. Since she had been assisting the Queen, she had been thinking of her future quite often, and she was not sure how she felt about it. Marriage was unknown territory and the unknown was always frightening. And she was extremely baffled by the opposite sex. She found men attractive but had yet to meet one who made her swoon.
“I’ve been thinking about my future a lot lately,” Athanasia admitted. “I know you are teaching me how to run a royal household so that I will be ready when the time comes and I accept my duty to marry whomever Father chooses for me.” She smiled slightly. “I'm not really sure what I feel. I haven’t had much experience with men and well … they confuse me.”
Yanni was not aware of her daughter’s nerves. Of course she had an idea that she was still learning, and learning could make anyone anxious, but she had no idea what the extent of her nervousness was. She had remembered her own nerves as a young woman, coming to a foreign land, marrying a man she had only just met. Yanni hadn’t been raised as royalty, her future for marriage had been uncertain for the first years of her life. It wasn’t until shortly before the marriage actually took place that she knew she was even going to be marrying a prince of Colchis. Even then she had managed to keep her cool, to bluff her way through things she did not know, and learn as she went. As she was sure her daughter would, but Yanni wanted to at least give her a head start with her learning before she married a suitable man and would need to tend to the same wifely duties that Yanni had for over thirty years.
“You were not being hard on them by pointing out what needed to be done.” She stated when Asia questioned her methods.
“Nor do you need to be an exact copy of me. If you prefer to approach with more kindness, then do so. How you deal with people is up to you, as long as the result ends up being the right one. You will learn, no one knows exactly what they’re doing or how to act in every situation.” She said, hoping that would serve to reassure her daughter even a little.
Yanni laughed as she heard her daughters thoughts on men.
“Men have always been and will continue to always be confusing.” She stated simply.
“Your father and I knew very little about each other upon marrying. We met for the first time only days before the wedding.” She started, smiling fondly at the memories of how they walked these very grounds together upon their first meeting, both awkward, both unsure what to say or do around each other.
“It takes time and patience to really get to know a man. Now, I couldn’t imagine my life without Tython. He’s a part of me, and losing him would be like losing my beating heart.” She stated. The two had held no true love for each other for the first few years of their marriage, but years later and several children later, he was the very heart that beat in her chest. And the two times in her life that she had thought him gone from the world forever, she could have sworn her heart had stopped beating and she was a ghost of her former self.
“Your future husband will be selected with care, and one day you will love and understand him just as much as I do with your father.” Yanni said, doing her best to reassure her daughter as they approached the first guards location and the Queen noted he was standing at attention as he should be. She moved on towards the next.
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Yanni was not aware of her daughter’s nerves. Of course she had an idea that she was still learning, and learning could make anyone anxious, but she had no idea what the extent of her nervousness was. She had remembered her own nerves as a young woman, coming to a foreign land, marrying a man she had only just met. Yanni hadn’t been raised as royalty, her future for marriage had been uncertain for the first years of her life. It wasn’t until shortly before the marriage actually took place that she knew she was even going to be marrying a prince of Colchis. Even then she had managed to keep her cool, to bluff her way through things she did not know, and learn as she went. As she was sure her daughter would, but Yanni wanted to at least give her a head start with her learning before she married a suitable man and would need to tend to the same wifely duties that Yanni had for over thirty years.
“You were not being hard on them by pointing out what needed to be done.” She stated when Asia questioned her methods.
“Nor do you need to be an exact copy of me. If you prefer to approach with more kindness, then do so. How you deal with people is up to you, as long as the result ends up being the right one. You will learn, no one knows exactly what they’re doing or how to act in every situation.” She said, hoping that would serve to reassure her daughter even a little.
Yanni laughed as she heard her daughters thoughts on men.
“Men have always been and will continue to always be confusing.” She stated simply.
“Your father and I knew very little about each other upon marrying. We met for the first time only days before the wedding.” She started, smiling fondly at the memories of how they walked these very grounds together upon their first meeting, both awkward, both unsure what to say or do around each other.
“It takes time and patience to really get to know a man. Now, I couldn’t imagine my life without Tython. He’s a part of me, and losing him would be like losing my beating heart.” She stated. The two had held no true love for each other for the first few years of their marriage, but years later and several children later, he was the very heart that beat in her chest. And the two times in her life that she had thought him gone from the world forever, she could have sworn her heart had stopped beating and she was a ghost of her former self.
“Your future husband will be selected with care, and one day you will love and understand him just as much as I do with your father.” Yanni said, doing her best to reassure her daughter as they approached the first guards location and the Queen noted he was standing at attention as he should be. She moved on towards the next.
Yanni was not aware of her daughter’s nerves. Of course she had an idea that she was still learning, and learning could make anyone anxious, but she had no idea what the extent of her nervousness was. She had remembered her own nerves as a young woman, coming to a foreign land, marrying a man she had only just met. Yanni hadn’t been raised as royalty, her future for marriage had been uncertain for the first years of her life. It wasn’t until shortly before the marriage actually took place that she knew she was even going to be marrying a prince of Colchis. Even then she had managed to keep her cool, to bluff her way through things she did not know, and learn as she went. As she was sure her daughter would, but Yanni wanted to at least give her a head start with her learning before she married a suitable man and would need to tend to the same wifely duties that Yanni had for over thirty years.
“You were not being hard on them by pointing out what needed to be done.” She stated when Asia questioned her methods.
“Nor do you need to be an exact copy of me. If you prefer to approach with more kindness, then do so. How you deal with people is up to you, as long as the result ends up being the right one. You will learn, no one knows exactly what they’re doing or how to act in every situation.” She said, hoping that would serve to reassure her daughter even a little.
Yanni laughed as she heard her daughters thoughts on men.
“Men have always been and will continue to always be confusing.” She stated simply.
“Your father and I knew very little about each other upon marrying. We met for the first time only days before the wedding.” She started, smiling fondly at the memories of how they walked these very grounds together upon their first meeting, both awkward, both unsure what to say or do around each other.
“It takes time and patience to really get to know a man. Now, I couldn’t imagine my life without Tython. He’s a part of me, and losing him would be like losing my beating heart.” She stated. The two had held no true love for each other for the first few years of their marriage, but years later and several children later, he was the very heart that beat in her chest. And the two times in her life that she had thought him gone from the world forever, she could have sworn her heart had stopped beating and she was a ghost of her former self.
“Your future husband will be selected with care, and one day you will love and understand him just as much as I do with your father.” Yanni said, doing her best to reassure her daughter as they approached the first guards location and the Queen noted he was standing at attention as he should be. She moved on towards the next.
“You were not being hard on them by pointing out what needed to be done. Nor do you need to be an exact copy of me. If you prefer to approach with more kindness, then do so. How you deal with people is up to you, as long as the result ends up being the right one. You will learn, no one knows exactly what they’re doing or how to act in every situation.”
Athanasia smiled wryly. “I probably shouldn’t have told them that they were sloppy. I’ll bet they thought I was insulting them even though I didn’t mean to. I know that I will most likely marry a man from another kingdom who will not understand the Colchis state of mind. It will be important for me to win over everyone in whichever kingdom or province he rules, including the servants. I am so afraid that my natural bluntness will make me fail, but I do not know how to act any other way.”
She glanced over at the Queen. “Was it difficult for you, Mother? Coming from Taengea and having to adapt to the culture of Colchis? Or did it come naturally to you? I don’t think that it will be easy for me.” Speaking of her anxieties was not easy either, even with her own mother. It felt like she was admitting she was weak, and she had learned from the cradle that a Kotas must always be emotionally strong.
Her mother laughed at her assessment of men and agreed with her. Did she still find the King baffling? That notion made her laugh too. Athanasia had no experience with romance at all. Until recently, she had seen men as opponents in archery, hunting, and other forms of combat. Even now, she would rather fight a man than marry him. Hmmm … maybe she should make that a condition of marriage: she would refuse to wed any man who couldn’t beat her in a fight.
Most royals didn’t meet each other until the day of their marriage or shortly before. Her parents must have gotten along well from the start if her mother’s smile was any indication.
“It takes time and patience to really get to know a man. Now, I couldn’t imagine my life without Tython. He’s a part of me, and losing him would be like losing my beating heart.”
Athanasia found herself smiling too. Hopefully she would be lucky enough to find love with her own husband as well. Time she would have plenty of, but patience was not one of her virtues. The princess remembered how devastated her mother had been when they had thought the King was dead. Still, she had kept her composure and refused to let her daughter wallow in her grief. She was truly the strongest person that Athanasia knew.
“Your future husband will be selected with care, and one day you will love and understand him just as much as I do with your father.”
They approached the first guard, who was performing his duties admirably. Athanasia lowered her voice so that they would be able to surprise the next one. This guard had probably heard them coming. “No old men, please,” she grinned. They continued to walk in silence. She was a bit disappointed that the second guard was standing at attention too.
As they passed him, Athanasia sighed. “I am not a typical princess. I will never be content to just run a household, throw parties, and take care of my children. If my husband expects me to stay in the house all day and give up archery and hunting, I shall go mad or wither away. I thrive on fresh air and adventure. I fear that he will not understand that.” She glanced over at the Queen, an imploring look in her hazel eyes. “Will you and Father take that aspect of my personality into consideration when you choose the man I will be spending the rest of my life with?”
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“You were not being hard on them by pointing out what needed to be done. Nor do you need to be an exact copy of me. If you prefer to approach with more kindness, then do so. How you deal with people is up to you, as long as the result ends up being the right one. You will learn, no one knows exactly what they’re doing or how to act in every situation.”
Athanasia smiled wryly. “I probably shouldn’t have told them that they were sloppy. I’ll bet they thought I was insulting them even though I didn’t mean to. I know that I will most likely marry a man from another kingdom who will not understand the Colchis state of mind. It will be important for me to win over everyone in whichever kingdom or province he rules, including the servants. I am so afraid that my natural bluntness will make me fail, but I do not know how to act any other way.”
She glanced over at the Queen. “Was it difficult for you, Mother? Coming from Taengea and having to adapt to the culture of Colchis? Or did it come naturally to you? I don’t think that it will be easy for me.” Speaking of her anxieties was not easy either, even with her own mother. It felt like she was admitting she was weak, and she had learned from the cradle that a Kotas must always be emotionally strong.
Her mother laughed at her assessment of men and agreed with her. Did she still find the King baffling? That notion made her laugh too. Athanasia had no experience with romance at all. Until recently, she had seen men as opponents in archery, hunting, and other forms of combat. Even now, she would rather fight a man than marry him. Hmmm … maybe she should make that a condition of marriage: she would refuse to wed any man who couldn’t beat her in a fight.
Most royals didn’t meet each other until the day of their marriage or shortly before. Her parents must have gotten along well from the start if her mother’s smile was any indication.
“It takes time and patience to really get to know a man. Now, I couldn’t imagine my life without Tython. He’s a part of me, and losing him would be like losing my beating heart.”
Athanasia found herself smiling too. Hopefully she would be lucky enough to find love with her own husband as well. Time she would have plenty of, but patience was not one of her virtues. The princess remembered how devastated her mother had been when they had thought the King was dead. Still, she had kept her composure and refused to let her daughter wallow in her grief. She was truly the strongest person that Athanasia knew.
“Your future husband will be selected with care, and one day you will love and understand him just as much as I do with your father.”
They approached the first guard, who was performing his duties admirably. Athanasia lowered her voice so that they would be able to surprise the next one. This guard had probably heard them coming. “No old men, please,” she grinned. They continued to walk in silence. She was a bit disappointed that the second guard was standing at attention too.
As they passed him, Athanasia sighed. “I am not a typical princess. I will never be content to just run a household, throw parties, and take care of my children. If my husband expects me to stay in the house all day and give up archery and hunting, I shall go mad or wither away. I thrive on fresh air and adventure. I fear that he will not understand that.” She glanced over at the Queen, an imploring look in her hazel eyes. “Will you and Father take that aspect of my personality into consideration when you choose the man I will be spending the rest of my life with?”
“You were not being hard on them by pointing out what needed to be done. Nor do you need to be an exact copy of me. If you prefer to approach with more kindness, then do so. How you deal with people is up to you, as long as the result ends up being the right one. You will learn, no one knows exactly what they’re doing or how to act in every situation.”
Athanasia smiled wryly. “I probably shouldn’t have told them that they were sloppy. I’ll bet they thought I was insulting them even though I didn’t mean to. I know that I will most likely marry a man from another kingdom who will not understand the Colchis state of mind. It will be important for me to win over everyone in whichever kingdom or province he rules, including the servants. I am so afraid that my natural bluntness will make me fail, but I do not know how to act any other way.”
She glanced over at the Queen. “Was it difficult for you, Mother? Coming from Taengea and having to adapt to the culture of Colchis? Or did it come naturally to you? I don’t think that it will be easy for me.” Speaking of her anxieties was not easy either, even with her own mother. It felt like she was admitting she was weak, and she had learned from the cradle that a Kotas must always be emotionally strong.
Her mother laughed at her assessment of men and agreed with her. Did she still find the King baffling? That notion made her laugh too. Athanasia had no experience with romance at all. Until recently, she had seen men as opponents in archery, hunting, and other forms of combat. Even now, she would rather fight a man than marry him. Hmmm … maybe she should make that a condition of marriage: she would refuse to wed any man who couldn’t beat her in a fight.
Most royals didn’t meet each other until the day of their marriage or shortly before. Her parents must have gotten along well from the start if her mother’s smile was any indication.
“It takes time and patience to really get to know a man. Now, I couldn’t imagine my life without Tython. He’s a part of me, and losing him would be like losing my beating heart.”
Athanasia found herself smiling too. Hopefully she would be lucky enough to find love with her own husband as well. Time she would have plenty of, but patience was not one of her virtues. The princess remembered how devastated her mother had been when they had thought the King was dead. Still, she had kept her composure and refused to let her daughter wallow in her grief. She was truly the strongest person that Athanasia knew.
“Your future husband will be selected with care, and one day you will love and understand him just as much as I do with your father.”
They approached the first guard, who was performing his duties admirably. Athanasia lowered her voice so that they would be able to surprise the next one. This guard had probably heard them coming. “No old men, please,” she grinned. They continued to walk in silence. She was a bit disappointed that the second guard was standing at attention too.
As they passed him, Athanasia sighed. “I am not a typical princess. I will never be content to just run a household, throw parties, and take care of my children. If my husband expects me to stay in the house all day and give up archery and hunting, I shall go mad or wither away. I thrive on fresh air and adventure. I fear that he will not understand that.” She glanced over at the Queen, an imploring look in her hazel eyes. “Will you and Father take that aspect of my personality into consideration when you choose the man I will be spending the rest of my life with?”
“Bluntness is not a bad trait, and you need to stop seeing it as such. You are straightforward, much like your mother.” Yanni stated. Her daughter put on a confident demeanour most of the time, but the Queen knew she was still finding herself and her place in the world. She wanted nothing more than to guide her only daughter to be a strong woman, and to see her happy. She had been glad to give Tython so many sons, and knew that her sons were one of the reasons that her husband had fallen in love with her in those early years, but Yanni had always hoped for daughters. Asia had been a blessing, the final child they had been able to conceive and the Gods had saw fit to bless her with the daughter she had wanted so badly.
When Athanasia asked if it was difficult for her to come to Colchis and adjust to life here, she nodded a little.
“It was. Colchis is so different from where I had grown up. Everything here felt strange and foreign. Your father tried so hard to make me feel at home.” She let out a small laugh at the memories of what Tython used to do for her, to make her feel comfortable upon moving here and being so far from her family.
“He used to import all sorts of things in from Taengea for me. Everything from trinkets to food and furniture. Eventually I had to put my foot down and tell him to stop it. I had no room for all of these things he thought I needed to be happy.” She said. She wasn’t sure she had ever told Asia many of the stories from her parents youth.
“You will adjust, to where ever you end up. You’re an intelligent woman, strong and capable. Kotas blood will always flow through your veins, and as such, you will overcome any obstacle that you come across.” She assured her daughter. She knew that it was nerve wracking, the thought of such a change in one’s life. But she also knew that Asia would find a way to adapt, just as she had.
Yanni inspected the guard as they passed. He was fine, so they began to move on to the next one. But her daughter’s next comment caught her off guard and she couldn’t help the laugh that escaped her.
“Your match will be as age appropriate as possible.” She assured her daughter. She hadn’t planned on marrying her off to anyone significantly older than she was at least.
She listened as her daughter voiced her concerns of not being suited to domestic life. She could remember a time when she was much the same, when she used to run in the trees with her brother when they were younger. When she would demand he would take her out hunting. When the green forests of Taengea were her home. Now her home was a manor in Colchis, and the children she had birthed and raised.
“We will of course take your happiness into account.” She started, then paused in their walk, facing Asia, she reached over to gently tuck some of her daughters hair behind her ear and tilt her chin up a little, giving her a smile. Tender moments like this were rare for the usually stone-tough Yanni.
“Your priorities will change. When you have a loving husband who needs your support, when you have children who depend on you for their safety and happiness. The world shifts and things that seem so important now will become memories.” Yanni stated, dropping her hand and continuing forward with their walk. She didn’t know if her words were comforting, but they were true. Yanni had been raised for this life her entire life, but she had never thought to settle into the role of wife and mother so well.
And yet, upon bearing her first son, nothing had mattered more than he did.
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“Bluntness is not a bad trait, and you need to stop seeing it as such. You are straightforward, much like your mother.” Yanni stated. Her daughter put on a confident demeanour most of the time, but the Queen knew she was still finding herself and her place in the world. She wanted nothing more than to guide her only daughter to be a strong woman, and to see her happy. She had been glad to give Tython so many sons, and knew that her sons were one of the reasons that her husband had fallen in love with her in those early years, but Yanni had always hoped for daughters. Asia had been a blessing, the final child they had been able to conceive and the Gods had saw fit to bless her with the daughter she had wanted so badly.
When Athanasia asked if it was difficult for her to come to Colchis and adjust to life here, she nodded a little.
“It was. Colchis is so different from where I had grown up. Everything here felt strange and foreign. Your father tried so hard to make me feel at home.” She let out a small laugh at the memories of what Tython used to do for her, to make her feel comfortable upon moving here and being so far from her family.
“He used to import all sorts of things in from Taengea for me. Everything from trinkets to food and furniture. Eventually I had to put my foot down and tell him to stop it. I had no room for all of these things he thought I needed to be happy.” She said. She wasn’t sure she had ever told Asia many of the stories from her parents youth.
“You will adjust, to where ever you end up. You’re an intelligent woman, strong and capable. Kotas blood will always flow through your veins, and as such, you will overcome any obstacle that you come across.” She assured her daughter. She knew that it was nerve wracking, the thought of such a change in one’s life. But she also knew that Asia would find a way to adapt, just as she had.
Yanni inspected the guard as they passed. He was fine, so they began to move on to the next one. But her daughter’s next comment caught her off guard and she couldn’t help the laugh that escaped her.
“Your match will be as age appropriate as possible.” She assured her daughter. She hadn’t planned on marrying her off to anyone significantly older than she was at least.
She listened as her daughter voiced her concerns of not being suited to domestic life. She could remember a time when she was much the same, when she used to run in the trees with her brother when they were younger. When she would demand he would take her out hunting. When the green forests of Taengea were her home. Now her home was a manor in Colchis, and the children she had birthed and raised.
“We will of course take your happiness into account.” She started, then paused in their walk, facing Asia, she reached over to gently tuck some of her daughters hair behind her ear and tilt her chin up a little, giving her a smile. Tender moments like this were rare for the usually stone-tough Yanni.
“Your priorities will change. When you have a loving husband who needs your support, when you have children who depend on you for their safety and happiness. The world shifts and things that seem so important now will become memories.” Yanni stated, dropping her hand and continuing forward with their walk. She didn’t know if her words were comforting, but they were true. Yanni had been raised for this life her entire life, but she had never thought to settle into the role of wife and mother so well.
And yet, upon bearing her first son, nothing had mattered more than he did.
“Bluntness is not a bad trait, and you need to stop seeing it as such. You are straightforward, much like your mother.” Yanni stated. Her daughter put on a confident demeanour most of the time, but the Queen knew she was still finding herself and her place in the world. She wanted nothing more than to guide her only daughter to be a strong woman, and to see her happy. She had been glad to give Tython so many sons, and knew that her sons were one of the reasons that her husband had fallen in love with her in those early years, but Yanni had always hoped for daughters. Asia had been a blessing, the final child they had been able to conceive and the Gods had saw fit to bless her with the daughter she had wanted so badly.
When Athanasia asked if it was difficult for her to come to Colchis and adjust to life here, she nodded a little.
“It was. Colchis is so different from where I had grown up. Everything here felt strange and foreign. Your father tried so hard to make me feel at home.” She let out a small laugh at the memories of what Tython used to do for her, to make her feel comfortable upon moving here and being so far from her family.
“He used to import all sorts of things in from Taengea for me. Everything from trinkets to food and furniture. Eventually I had to put my foot down and tell him to stop it. I had no room for all of these things he thought I needed to be happy.” She said. She wasn’t sure she had ever told Asia many of the stories from her parents youth.
“You will adjust, to where ever you end up. You’re an intelligent woman, strong and capable. Kotas blood will always flow through your veins, and as such, you will overcome any obstacle that you come across.” She assured her daughter. She knew that it was nerve wracking, the thought of such a change in one’s life. But she also knew that Asia would find a way to adapt, just as she had.
Yanni inspected the guard as they passed. He was fine, so they began to move on to the next one. But her daughter’s next comment caught her off guard and she couldn’t help the laugh that escaped her.
“Your match will be as age appropriate as possible.” She assured her daughter. She hadn’t planned on marrying her off to anyone significantly older than she was at least.
She listened as her daughter voiced her concerns of not being suited to domestic life. She could remember a time when she was much the same, when she used to run in the trees with her brother when they were younger. When she would demand he would take her out hunting. When the green forests of Taengea were her home. Now her home was a manor in Colchis, and the children she had birthed and raised.
“We will of course take your happiness into account.” She started, then paused in their walk, facing Asia, she reached over to gently tuck some of her daughters hair behind her ear and tilt her chin up a little, giving her a smile. Tender moments like this were rare for the usually stone-tough Yanni.
“Your priorities will change. When you have a loving husband who needs your support, when you have children who depend on you for their safety and happiness. The world shifts and things that seem so important now will become memories.” Yanni stated, dropping her hand and continuing forward with their walk. She didn’t know if her words were comforting, but they were true. Yanni had been raised for this life her entire life, but she had never thought to settle into the role of wife and mother so well.
And yet, upon bearing her first son, nothing had mattered more than he did.
“Bluntness is not a bad trait, and you need to stop seeing it as such. You are straightforward, much like your mother.”
Athanasia tilted her head to one side. Had her candor come from her mother? She had known it was probably an inherited trait, as she had never known her brothers to mince words either. But they were male and being frank was expected of them. Women were supposed to be kind when they spoke, not direct to the point of rudeness. Yanni was Queen; she could be forthright and nobody would complain. But had she been straightforward before she was married too? Maybe it wasn’t such a bad thing if her father had not minded her bluntness. Yet what was the chance that she would marry a man like her father?
She had suspected that her mother had a difficult time adjusting to the culture of Colchis. Having been to Taengea herself, she knew how different the two kingdoms were. Taengea was mild and brimming with flowers. It’s people were mostly easygoing. Cochis was a wild rocky, austere land and its inhabitants were fiery and fierce. Would she have done so well in her mother’s place?
The young princess smiled as Yanni told her about the lengths her new husband had gone to in order to make her feel at home. It sounded like something her father would do and it had not taken long before he had fallen in love with the bride he had hardly known when they were wed. I hope I will be that lucky. Not all arranged marriages were happy, especially among royalty. Unions were made for alliances and the personalities of the individuals were rarely taken into account. Nobody but commoners married for love.
In Athanasia’s case, perhaps that was fortunate. She wouldn't know love if it hit her in the face. Romance was not something she thought of often. She would much rather fight with a man than kiss him. Imeeya had once been like her too, but she suspected that her cousin was beginning to enjoy male companionship. Perhaps she would too if the right man came along. There was nothing wrong with being picky. It wasn’t as if she would have any future with someone she fell in love with anyway so why bother with them in the first place?
The Queen had more confidence in her daughter than she had in herself. Athanasia sighed. “I hope you’re right, Mother. I want to bring honor to you and Father, and to my husband and his kingdom.” She was too much of a Kotas to admit that she was afraid, but her mother could probably sense it. Leaving behind everything she had ever known for a new life was frightening, no matter how long she had known it was coming. Her future was encroaching on her quickly now, too quickly in her opinion.
At least I won’t have to marry an old geezer. “I don’t want to marry anyone younger than I am either. Some young men are so immature.” She was thinking of Lord Silanos when she said that. He was not high enough in status to marry a princess, but he wasn’t the only noble who was more interested in drinking his life away than being responsible for his actions.
“We will of course take your happiness into account.”
Her mother stopped and brushed the errant curl behind her ear and tilted her chin up. Such tenderness was uncharacteristic for the Queen and she enjoyed it while it lasted. Athanasia knew that both of her parents loved her dearly, even if she had not turned out very docile. Perhaps they had raised her to be just the way she was.
Their walk continued. The princess was not certain that she would ever be suited to domestic life, no matter what her mother claimed. She had an adventurous spirit that marriage and children most likely couldn’t tame. However, the Queen was wise. Maybe she would turn out to be right. “Do you have somebody in mind for me already?” she asked, her throat tightening with nervousness that lessened when they came upon the second guard, leaning against a wall and snoring softly.
Athanasia glanced over at her mother with an impish look on her face. “Can I scream to wake him up?”
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“Bluntness is not a bad trait, and you need to stop seeing it as such. You are straightforward, much like your mother.”
Athanasia tilted her head to one side. Had her candor come from her mother? She had known it was probably an inherited trait, as she had never known her brothers to mince words either. But they were male and being frank was expected of them. Women were supposed to be kind when they spoke, not direct to the point of rudeness. Yanni was Queen; she could be forthright and nobody would complain. But had she been straightforward before she was married too? Maybe it wasn’t such a bad thing if her father had not minded her bluntness. Yet what was the chance that she would marry a man like her father?
She had suspected that her mother had a difficult time adjusting to the culture of Colchis. Having been to Taengea herself, she knew how different the two kingdoms were. Taengea was mild and brimming with flowers. It’s people were mostly easygoing. Cochis was a wild rocky, austere land and its inhabitants were fiery and fierce. Would she have done so well in her mother’s place?
The young princess smiled as Yanni told her about the lengths her new husband had gone to in order to make her feel at home. It sounded like something her father would do and it had not taken long before he had fallen in love with the bride he had hardly known when they were wed. I hope I will be that lucky. Not all arranged marriages were happy, especially among royalty. Unions were made for alliances and the personalities of the individuals were rarely taken into account. Nobody but commoners married for love.
In Athanasia’s case, perhaps that was fortunate. She wouldn't know love if it hit her in the face. Romance was not something she thought of often. She would much rather fight with a man than kiss him. Imeeya had once been like her too, but she suspected that her cousin was beginning to enjoy male companionship. Perhaps she would too if the right man came along. There was nothing wrong with being picky. It wasn’t as if she would have any future with someone she fell in love with anyway so why bother with them in the first place?
The Queen had more confidence in her daughter than she had in herself. Athanasia sighed. “I hope you’re right, Mother. I want to bring honor to you and Father, and to my husband and his kingdom.” She was too much of a Kotas to admit that she was afraid, but her mother could probably sense it. Leaving behind everything she had ever known for a new life was frightening, no matter how long she had known it was coming. Her future was encroaching on her quickly now, too quickly in her opinion.
At least I won’t have to marry an old geezer. “I don’t want to marry anyone younger than I am either. Some young men are so immature.” She was thinking of Lord Silanos when she said that. He was not high enough in status to marry a princess, but he wasn’t the only noble who was more interested in drinking his life away than being responsible for his actions.
“We will of course take your happiness into account.”
Her mother stopped and brushed the errant curl behind her ear and tilted her chin up. Such tenderness was uncharacteristic for the Queen and she enjoyed it while it lasted. Athanasia knew that both of her parents loved her dearly, even if she had not turned out very docile. Perhaps they had raised her to be just the way she was.
Their walk continued. The princess was not certain that she would ever be suited to domestic life, no matter what her mother claimed. She had an adventurous spirit that marriage and children most likely couldn’t tame. However, the Queen was wise. Maybe she would turn out to be right. “Do you have somebody in mind for me already?” she asked, her throat tightening with nervousness that lessened when they came upon the second guard, leaning against a wall and snoring softly.
Athanasia glanced over at her mother with an impish look on her face. “Can I scream to wake him up?”
“Bluntness is not a bad trait, and you need to stop seeing it as such. You are straightforward, much like your mother.”
Athanasia tilted her head to one side. Had her candor come from her mother? She had known it was probably an inherited trait, as she had never known her brothers to mince words either. But they were male and being frank was expected of them. Women were supposed to be kind when they spoke, not direct to the point of rudeness. Yanni was Queen; she could be forthright and nobody would complain. But had she been straightforward before she was married too? Maybe it wasn’t such a bad thing if her father had not minded her bluntness. Yet what was the chance that she would marry a man like her father?
She had suspected that her mother had a difficult time adjusting to the culture of Colchis. Having been to Taengea herself, she knew how different the two kingdoms were. Taengea was mild and brimming with flowers. It’s people were mostly easygoing. Cochis was a wild rocky, austere land and its inhabitants were fiery and fierce. Would she have done so well in her mother’s place?
The young princess smiled as Yanni told her about the lengths her new husband had gone to in order to make her feel at home. It sounded like something her father would do and it had not taken long before he had fallen in love with the bride he had hardly known when they were wed. I hope I will be that lucky. Not all arranged marriages were happy, especially among royalty. Unions were made for alliances and the personalities of the individuals were rarely taken into account. Nobody but commoners married for love.
In Athanasia’s case, perhaps that was fortunate. She wouldn't know love if it hit her in the face. Romance was not something she thought of often. She would much rather fight with a man than kiss him. Imeeya had once been like her too, but she suspected that her cousin was beginning to enjoy male companionship. Perhaps she would too if the right man came along. There was nothing wrong with being picky. It wasn’t as if she would have any future with someone she fell in love with anyway so why bother with them in the first place?
The Queen had more confidence in her daughter than she had in herself. Athanasia sighed. “I hope you’re right, Mother. I want to bring honor to you and Father, and to my husband and his kingdom.” She was too much of a Kotas to admit that she was afraid, but her mother could probably sense it. Leaving behind everything she had ever known for a new life was frightening, no matter how long she had known it was coming. Her future was encroaching on her quickly now, too quickly in her opinion.
At least I won’t have to marry an old geezer. “I don’t want to marry anyone younger than I am either. Some young men are so immature.” She was thinking of Lord Silanos when she said that. He was not high enough in status to marry a princess, but he wasn’t the only noble who was more interested in drinking his life away than being responsible for his actions.
“We will of course take your happiness into account.”
Her mother stopped and brushed the errant curl behind her ear and tilted her chin up. Such tenderness was uncharacteristic for the Queen and she enjoyed it while it lasted. Athanasia knew that both of her parents loved her dearly, even if she had not turned out very docile. Perhaps they had raised her to be just the way she was.
Their walk continued. The princess was not certain that she would ever be suited to domestic life, no matter what her mother claimed. She had an adventurous spirit that marriage and children most likely couldn’t tame. However, the Queen was wise. Maybe she would turn out to be right. “Do you have somebody in mind for me already?” she asked, her throat tightening with nervousness that lessened when they came upon the second guard, leaning against a wall and snoring softly.
Athanasia glanced over at her mother with an impish look on her face. “Can I scream to wake him up?”
“I know I am right.” She said confidently, she knew her daughter and knew what she was capable of. Yanni was confident that Athanasia could adjust to where ever she ended up. As much as Yanni wanted it to be someone from Colchis, it was likely that her daughter would marry someone from another Kingdom, likely someone that was necessary for political reasons. As she had been. Her marriage had worked out, and for the sake of her daughter’s happiness, she hoped that who ever she was matched with would find the same fate. Things could have been a lot worse if Tython hadn’t been as great of a man as he was.
She only wanted her children happy, though she knew that they did have certain obligations to uphold as the children of the Colchian royal family.
“Turn your thoughts from marriage, you are not in danger of being married off just yet. You will know when your father and I choose a match for you, and your opinion will be considered. For now, there is no need to think about such things. Focus on your studies and things going on right now.” Yanni said, trying to calm her daughter down a little. She seemed to be focusing on this whole marriage thing, and while she knew it was a big deal and it would be a huge affair when it happens, there was no danger at the moment. With Tython and the majority of her sons gone off to war and in danger, the least of her worries were marrying off Athanasia.
Yanni was not impressed with the guard who was asleep, she would have done something worse than screaming to wake him up, but she wanted to teach her daughter some tolerance as well. A ruler needs to be fair but also strong, and Athanasia would need to be the same.
“Go for it. Let’s see how prepared he truly is while he sleeps.” She whispered back so they would not wake the man up just yet. Normally she would not condone such behaviour, but she was in a bit of an odd mood. Almost more like the Yanni of her younger years, back when she was a youth in her homeland and her worries were a lot less. She used to be a lot more energetic, a lot more fun.
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“I know I am right.” She said confidently, she knew her daughter and knew what she was capable of. Yanni was confident that Athanasia could adjust to where ever she ended up. As much as Yanni wanted it to be someone from Colchis, it was likely that her daughter would marry someone from another Kingdom, likely someone that was necessary for political reasons. As she had been. Her marriage had worked out, and for the sake of her daughter’s happiness, she hoped that who ever she was matched with would find the same fate. Things could have been a lot worse if Tython hadn’t been as great of a man as he was.
She only wanted her children happy, though she knew that they did have certain obligations to uphold as the children of the Colchian royal family.
“Turn your thoughts from marriage, you are not in danger of being married off just yet. You will know when your father and I choose a match for you, and your opinion will be considered. For now, there is no need to think about such things. Focus on your studies and things going on right now.” Yanni said, trying to calm her daughter down a little. She seemed to be focusing on this whole marriage thing, and while she knew it was a big deal and it would be a huge affair when it happens, there was no danger at the moment. With Tython and the majority of her sons gone off to war and in danger, the least of her worries were marrying off Athanasia.
Yanni was not impressed with the guard who was asleep, she would have done something worse than screaming to wake him up, but she wanted to teach her daughter some tolerance as well. A ruler needs to be fair but also strong, and Athanasia would need to be the same.
“Go for it. Let’s see how prepared he truly is while he sleeps.” She whispered back so they would not wake the man up just yet. Normally she would not condone such behaviour, but she was in a bit of an odd mood. Almost more like the Yanni of her younger years, back when she was a youth in her homeland and her worries were a lot less. She used to be a lot more energetic, a lot more fun.
“I know I am right.” She said confidently, she knew her daughter and knew what she was capable of. Yanni was confident that Athanasia could adjust to where ever she ended up. As much as Yanni wanted it to be someone from Colchis, it was likely that her daughter would marry someone from another Kingdom, likely someone that was necessary for political reasons. As she had been. Her marriage had worked out, and for the sake of her daughter’s happiness, she hoped that who ever she was matched with would find the same fate. Things could have been a lot worse if Tython hadn’t been as great of a man as he was.
She only wanted her children happy, though she knew that they did have certain obligations to uphold as the children of the Colchian royal family.
“Turn your thoughts from marriage, you are not in danger of being married off just yet. You will know when your father and I choose a match for you, and your opinion will be considered. For now, there is no need to think about such things. Focus on your studies and things going on right now.” Yanni said, trying to calm her daughter down a little. She seemed to be focusing on this whole marriage thing, and while she knew it was a big deal and it would be a huge affair when it happens, there was no danger at the moment. With Tython and the majority of her sons gone off to war and in danger, the least of her worries were marrying off Athanasia.
Yanni was not impressed with the guard who was asleep, she would have done something worse than screaming to wake him up, but she wanted to teach her daughter some tolerance as well. A ruler needs to be fair but also strong, and Athanasia would need to be the same.
“Go for it. Let’s see how prepared he truly is while he sleeps.” She whispered back so they would not wake the man up just yet. Normally she would not condone such behaviour, but she was in a bit of an odd mood. Almost more like the Yanni of her younger years, back when she was a youth in her homeland and her worries were a lot less. She used to be a lot more energetic, a lot more fun.
