Interlude 2

3000 years earlier... again.

Authors Note: As with previous interlude, this is background, just skip to carry on with the normal story if you like (unless of course you want to understand why we're fucking a Queen in about a dozen chapters time).

Odysseus strode forward towards the main city gates on his own. He had expressly forbidden his men from coming within arrow range of the walls, but now felt acutely unprotected. Even though he walked forward in his brilliantly polished armor, he was carrying his Chalcidian helmet with its bright red plumes and he would be an easy target for some highly strung archer on the battlements.

His walk though was without incident and at last he reached the gates which swung open to admit him. He strode with apparent confidence inside after which they slammed behind him and were bolted shut. As he faced a bristling forest of spears and swords, he said loudly but calmly. "I am an emissary of the Greeks. Take me to your Queen immediately."

A volley of incoherent **** followed and Odysseus was jostled roughly but a path opened up and he was led at sword point along corridors and up a flight of stairs then eventually admitted to a room around which sat about a dozen angry looking old men who were arguing and at the head of which sat a buxom woman in pristine white robes with golden braid.

"Gentlemen! I believe we are in the presence of the legendary King Odysseus", said the woman holding up the palms of her hands to quieten the room. Your majesty, this is my war council," she indicated the men with a sweep of her hand and a smile.

Odysseus executed an elegant bow and smiled politely at the Queen, ignoring them all.

"So what pray tell, would bring you to surrender yourself to our hands?" she asked. The heads of the group. all swiveled from the Queen to Odysseus.

"Ah you misunderstand me, dear Queen Europa. I am here in order to accept the unconditional surrender of your city."

"Damn you, Greek! We'll put your head on a spike to frighten your fellow!" said one of her ministers.

"There's not even a hundred of you out there. What makes you think you could take this city. Why its almost as well defended as Troy itself!" joined another

"We should ride the Knights out - We're better than two to one against his army!! We'll annihilate them!"

Odysseus could see the young Queen listening quietly to the threats and posturing of the court. "Oh, you misunderstand me again sir. That is not my army out there. That is just my bodyguard - to see that I got here unmolested by bandits. The full Greek army will arrive here in 2 days time unless I return to advise otherwise."

"Nonsense! Impossible!" objected a heavily bearded man. "If they came here their ships would be razed by the men of Troy. They would never be able to go home. Everyone knows that."

"Ah. That is correct. My friends have realized that this is going to be a long war and they have decided to transfer their base to your city instead of tents by their ships. They know that the ships will be lost, but they accept that. When the war is eventually won, we will build new ones.

The room started to hush.

"Now as you are no doubt aware it is the policy of the Greeks to not leave anyone alive in conquered cities. I am afraid my countrymen are not merciful."

"I have heard this". said the Queen softly.

"Those bastards roast and eat the children", spat one.

"So I say to you again, surrender now", said Odysseus directly to the Queen

"What will become of us if we do as you ask?"

I will not lie to you your majesty. The men will be conscripted into the Greek army and must fight on that side for the remainder of the war. The lives of their families are dependent on their service. Indeed the sooner they help win this war the sooner we will leave and they may return home".

"And those of us left behind in Misae?" asked the Queen.

The room was silent now and all stared fixedly at Odysseus. "The women will of course be paramours for the Greeks stationed here. The men and children's lives will be dependent on their service in that regard. Should you acquiesce now, I will report back to the command that the city is unsuitable and garrison merely my bodyguard and myself here. Let them find another city to use as a base."

"So you would have us fight for you while you and your bodyguard remain here to fuck our women!" said a military commander bitterly. Odysseus said nothing.

"And if we refuse?" said the Queen without showing fear,

"Then the city will be ransacked by the Greeks Not a soul left alive."

"I see". Well, we must give this some consideration. Guards please have King Odysseus wait in the next room while we discuss his proposal.