A small vessel arrived at the docks with a very delicate crew.
They walked proudly but respectfully to the center of the Cillician village. There a nasal sounding and foppish man did speak on behalf of his people who lived far to the west when brought before the Archon.
His words...

QUOTE:
Be praised, young mortal!

I, the son of Zeus Almighty and of beautiful Persephones,
I, the holder of the Eleusyn misteries and the guard of the secrets of the forests, the protector of Greece and the friend of all pure in their heart, salute you.

I come to bring you the friendship of the Hellenes and their wish for a long and happy relationship with you, now and everlasting. My worthy adorers hope you feel the same and together you two shall achieve many things in this world, for I, my heavenly father and your gods to be satisfied.

What say you, beautiful human?!

As the man finished speaking the Cillician Archon looked to his two Wisdoms and the other warriors who guarded his tribe and lands. Rising I spoke...in even and reasoned tones.

Well, I am impressed.

You come on behalf of the son of Gods. I suppose I would have been awed into agreeing if he had shown here himself. Thank him for being so considerate please. I wonder....but matters little as what is truth is YOU are here in my Kingdom. We know not your God's here except in news of the tradesmen.

Now to the heart of the matter. All treaties must have reason and purpose. Without that they are little more than wishes written on the wind. I did say as much to the Macedoni while I ruled Thrace, and was respected for it. We did strike terms of treaty and it was honorable.

Now I will consult my augurs on what you have offered and my fire readers. That is, unless you have more to say on behalf of your Archon , Your Gods and Your tribe. With what I hear now I do not expect the readings of the fickle Gods to be well read. Such as we know now is vague and so will the answers from spirits and Gods. This makes it VERY difficult to divine the answers clearly.

I rise to my feet and motion for a farmer to bring me a goat and to another to bring me 3 chickens and a rooster. Then I pause watching the Helllene delegation.

The Hellene envoy bows his head in front of the Archon and hears his words in silence. As he finishes speaking, he raises his head and looks deeply in to the eyes of the man. His finical tone lowered by a grade, but still the proud could be sensed in his speech, even if the stance may look somehow respectful.

In our lands, we question not the words of the oracles. Nor, Moiri protect us, the intent or purpose of the Olympians. We only know that when they decide to show themselves to us, we do follow their lead, as our forefathers did. It was the will of Dionysos the Wondrous to come here, to these... takes a long look around lands, and to offer you friendship and openess. Not small my surprise was to see your people have themselves found the miracle of speech and the benefits of wearing clothes. And for this, I praise thee.

The messenger takes a deep breath before continuing, seeming not to notice the frown of the Archon.

You do what you have to do with this offer, consult your oracles and ask your spirits. We hope for them to be as wise and far-seeing to see the advantages we bring to the people they protect... the art of making fire, the work of metals, the science of carving spoken words on stone, even! All these, we have been taught by gods a long time ago, and we are willing to share them with you, if you want. But if you decide, instead, for the darkness of ignorance over the sacred light of knowledge, even the gods can't help the unwilling..

The messenger stood tall, while his mind was wandering far back to his home... Oh, by the beard of Hephaistos himself, if all my missions last as this one, I'll miss even the last representation of the last of Sophocle's tragoedia!

I sat there upon my High seat looking down at the haughty envoy to the Hellenes.
As his speech began I had a small hope that he was wise. As he finished I liked not his tone while his eyes did take in the Wisdoms Tigrania and Zeri, both seated here in my presence....while this Envoy still stood.
I did resist the urge to answer the fire in me that this envoy of the Daeva, Dionysos, was stirring.
But in halting this urge i was forced to admit that the achievements he claimed could only be attained with wisdom and the Yazatas . Since I knew nothing of the these Olympians I would not call them either.
So for the sake of these Hellenes contact with the Yazatas I was well composed and replied.

I see, you look only at what is within your vision, and yet you speak of faith. Faith in beings who give you things. I am a man who under the high Aramazd who is created with my own mind and the gift of reason. The search for the truth in what you say cannot be answered by one will. You are fair of speech but ill of countenance and I am disturbed that one such as you should be chosen to represent an entire peoples.

Since you ARE that one I will rather ask you to sit, dine with us, talk to me of the Hellenes and await until the morning while we consider. If we plan to assume a future of lifetimes, you should not expect a choice of one hour. For a choice made in one hour can be as quickly undone. Let us instead build a relation...not just a choice. If you begin with us here we shall also send back with you, one of our own. I will ask my oracle and my priest and the two most trusted of my council after you have been properly feasted. If we have still a ground for agreement after listening to you talk of your people and you to a broader viewing of ours then you will have from me an envoy to return it.

As I paused I thought to myself, and better our own words from one of fairer speach and composure otherwise he would only drive our peoples to war, this hasty envoy of self importance. We will send our reply with a wise decision for a nation not a hasty one by a single man and see with Cilliciani eyes if all he claims is true or simply truth as this ONE believes it.

I will send with you one of my own two guards to show you the library we have grown here and the gardens we grow to study new plants whenever my people find them. We are a young culture and not a marching oafish behemoth. We build slowly but we build well. Our weather here does not favor the papyrii scrolls so they are not kept as gaudy decoration in the open . They are kept in sealed rooms for the prolonging of our shared wisdom. Our foods and wines are of quality , not quantity ..so you will be feasted well, but not too gluttony and drunkeness. and here I smiled to myself, because many had had a taste of the wines we had made and yet were generally overcome when it slowly seized their minds all unawares. The fermenters would not even tell, me, their Archon what ingredient did that when common wines would not. I suspected it was Cannabis added but could not see how they got their hands on it or where they kept it if they did. I did tend to avoid their special blends so I could be more focussed to the Truths of this world.

I feel you speak in truth of your desire for peace and so we can continue this discussion. But I ask you to open your eyes and look beyond the road from our port to this High Hall on the Cliffs and accept the travel of the town to speak with any of my people and visit with any of my warriors if they will permit you entry to their homes. Though with them, I would advise a more open look at each as they are the reason I have a Tribe....not my own arm and mouth. May the wisdom of the True picture of my people and their value as friend or foe settle into you.

And at that I looked to the two Wisdoms and signalled to them that they should come with me.....ending this visit with the Hellene. One of my guards joined him, a man who had fought beside me and my wife and come from Cappadocia, so that the Hellene could be seen by all my people as a friend in their midst. At least this way he would know where to return for the feast. My Priest and my wife the Oracle were due to arrive later this day and were to join us in our evening meal which was already planned to Feast for them.

Patterns in this world...I saw. Did the Others?

In the pillared Halls of stone the servants brought forth foods and cusions for the benches.
Earthware oil lamps were spaced evenly in the hall to share a balanced light.

The platters of bronze were laid beside each bench and it only waited for the Guests to all arrive. The Cillician Gov't and Priest, the Hellene diplomat and the Queen of Capppadocia. Fresh Fruits, meats a fish, even some snow in buckets to cool drinks.Braziers of charcoal were also nearby for warmth if needed.

The Kitchen servants even took bets to see who would arrive first.

Nearly 13 cycles of the moon had passed since the hellene envoy had arrived among the Cillicians. The wheel of days had nearly come one full cicle. In only a day or so that would be true and complete.

The envoy had taken the offer to live among them and learn their ways. It was time to return to his own lands. He had seen the Cilliciani live and prosper. The new title of their Nation was Cillicia and the name Cillicians was easier on foreign toungues than tribal name of Cilliciani.

A small but fiercely determined tribe. They had conquered the lands around them with initial mix of victory and defeats that had given the Hellene doubts of their worth. Those defeats did not stop the Cilliciani from learning. With what they learned they had studied and applied a renewed military campaign that had swept like a thunderstorm across the nearby targets of their growth and even the tribe they had retreated from fell to there knowledge and power.

Out of curiosity he joined their ride North to the lands of the wife of the Cillician Archon. The Oracle Priestess Nyx who was Queen of Cappadocia. The envoy had met her a couple of times and even the son of these two leaders, Aether. He had been too young to learn the Hellene language but Shazir Heart of the Flame asked if the boy might be sent a teacher from the Hellene lands. Once the envoy returned. Now the Cilicians rode and walked to fight beside their Queens people the Cappadocians.

The Cappadocian culture was more ritualistic and religious minded as was proper for the people of a Great Oracle. They needed new lads though, new resources. The martial skills and mind of the Cillicians was ready to aide their brothers and sisters now. Finely toned and experienced, they would back the Cappadocians Army as the phalanx and vanguard off the upcoming battles.

The Hellene was given one last meeting among Shazir and Priestess Nyx, Shazir spoke for his own Nation.

Hellene, you have surprised me well with your perseverence among these so called rough and uncivilized lands. You did not beg to be recalled or shirk your duties. You also drank like a fish without passing out too much!
(general laughter from the Cillician warriors who had come North)
I would ask you to join in our campaigns here in the North as you followed our conquests in the South.
The truth is I do not have that right. These lands will be Cappadocian. These lands will belong to my Queen and the tribe she leads here.

I would have you come from port here and sail home. It may not be a fast journey in these black waters but I assure you it will not be harsh. Maybe even you would like to sail to Thracian or Dacian lands or to the barbarian tribes at Tyre. No matter to me. I ask only that you now return to your leader.
Give him this message.

QUOTE:
If the heart and spirit of this now more humble envoy is the same heart and spirit in ALL your people, then I say the Hellenes are Friend of the Cillicians.
We call for no aide, we ask no Alliance.
We will welcome the Hellenes presence among us and will ask you allow the same.
Maybe in time and True Knowledge of each other we can see a closer relation with your people.
Trade is welcome. Your armies may even rest here. Our ports may be used as your sailors need.

I send now one of my own trusted Wisdoms, the wonderous Lady Zeri and some of her gathered proteges. One of them will also be left to write her from your lands as your envoy has done for us.
May we learn more truths from each other and grow closer by it.
The Most High, Aramazd , blesses this. May the Yazatas influence your people well.
So says Shazir Heart of the Flame and so I seal these words.

Upon finishing these words Shazir took his own axe and drew the blade across his chest above his heart.
Not flinching but then holding a cloth of wool across the wound and pressing it to a parchment. The mark that remained looking like a flaming red meteor across the vellum.

Good journey friend. May we meet again.
And thus was the long mission of the Hellene envoy answered.

Calling his guard, Shazir Heart of the Flame, Archon of Cillicia asked him to bring Tigrania before him.
The following letter was to be delivered to the Cappadocian King, Ulin.
No simple courier was suitable for this message. Shazir had to entrust this letter to Tigrania.
This was a fierce and beautiful warrior woman with a cool Pride and Grace in her every movement.
She was the highly honored Cillician Wisdom of Blood and Sea, Tigrania.

When she arrived before him Shazir rose to greet her, the two standing as equals whenever no other was present. Such was the respect of the Archon for this former Archon and now millitary leader of the Cilliciani tribe.

Tigrania, well met and good health!

...as his hand firmly but politely grasped her arm just below the elbow. Her finely sculpted muscles of her forearm against his while she wrapped her cool and lithe hands around his own strong arm below the elbow. A gesture as a handshake but more like a blood bonding ceremony. This is how Shazir greeted all those who earned high respect in his eyes.

I have a message for you to bring to the Cappadocian Capital. I ask you to take it there personally.
Yourself and this band of warriors. Begin tonight or tomorrow as you see fit, but not later please.
I offer it for your reading before you begin so you are prepared to act in my place among the Cappadocian people.

QUOTE:
My Sincere Ally and Brother Ulin,
By the Oracles word, Cappadocian Archon,

I am indeed ready to go wherever you need, as are my warriors.

Yet, I will remain with my wife & our first-born. My son Aether.
It is regrettable that this second child of ours has left her so unable to proceed.
She is but a shadow of her former strength & energy, yet she rests well.
Keep her in your thoughts please.

My field commander in your support is the Cillician Wisdom of Blood and Sea, Tigrania.
SHE is trusted with all my same authority over the combat plans of my people.
I send her to you while I remain with my wife and son.

I may meet from time to time to have a duel and speak fairly of matters between our tribes while she rests here. My wife and I will build a private house, away from our palaces, here in your heart lands of the even more ancient history of your people. The original Kappadokien fields.

I would advise you once again, if I may.
You have more strength & people to expand already.
Please consider again our previous battle plans. I am certain that you will be victorious if even against 2 more barbarian lands. The united strength of our two tribes will never be halted by any such unorganized fighters. Do not limit your strength to small plans.
My own people have all the room they need now. Now is the time for them to tame the wilderness and bring in the barbarians who fled & yet may add to our numbers. Through friendship & trade.

If this does not awaken them then we shall fight back together against the more savage barbarians nearby so they can realize eventually their lands MUST be joined to ours. If they do not learn this then their lives shall only be sorrow and blood until they find the wisdom of acceptance.

Live long & honorably & then die well Ulin!

Your Brother,
Archon of Cillicia
Shazir Heart of the Flame

The red lettering achieved by Shazir rubbing his own blood into the scratches on the tablet immediately seemed to grasp Tigrania's attention......but she held from saying anything until she had read it all.

Shazir silently waited sipping a cup of wine, while his wife Priestess Nyx stirred uncomfortably in her sleep as the babe inside her must have become active as well.
In the warm and glowing coals of the nearby brazier sat another clay tablet drying. That one would soon be destined to the South to the Cillician Wisdom of the Hearts and Hearths , Zeri. She road the waves somewhere on the seas between the Cillician Capital and the lands of the Hellenes.

In one of Cilician harbours came a large ship with carthaginan flag at the top of mast. After docking disembarked from ship a group of rich-clothed mens and many black slaves. They asked for the palace of ruler of Cilicians. When they found the right place, they entered and come into the great a beatifull hall. The slaves put to the floor very nice carpets and on them many amphoras full of golden coins and elephant gold - ivory. Then one of rich-clothed mens step forward and said in good greek:

"Hail Mighty ruler of Cilicians! We heard in Carthage, that You are the mightiest from all rulers in easter part of great sea. So our Melek, Mighty Hamilkar sent us to ask you for your favor and grace. He sends you all this gifts as a sign of his own goodwil and suggest to you a pact of alliance and free trade relations. A pact, that will put our nations together in fight with those bloody barbarians, which are still dangering our provinces. When you will need help, we will help you and reversly. When you will need silver, gold, ivory etc. we can send you it for your incense and good vine from Cilicia.

Also we heard about the games, that are you holding in your realm. Some of our warriors wish to join them, so we ask you, if they can. many of our braviest mens would confront their brave and strengh with your mens, but in peacetime. For you is this a chance to show all the world, that your army has brave warriors and is a force, that can smash many enemies.

What do you say to proposal of our Melek?"

As Shazir watched his wife's closed eyes and her slow breathing a servant opened the large bronze doors to their private courtyard.

Knowing the boys were out on picnic with there guardians Shazir had expected to spend his wife's last days in this world singing to her alone and with his boys. She already had not wakened except for some broth since the last sunrise. All the while offerings were made in the Cappadocian Shrines to the Gods and Goddesses asking for her return.

Rising from her bedside Shazir softly walked to the doors. Agravated at the interruption but not wishing to bring a note of discord to her dreams he continued singing while he moved.

Giving a look at the servant that gave no room for misinterpretation, the Archon raised an eyebrow in silent question....and warning. His voice raised in song remained soothing and sweet. An odd contrast to the displeasure his face showed.
The servant fell prostrate flat on the floor, only a scroll held up in his hand where his Patron would be least inconvenienced when he accepted it....if he accepted. Snatching the letter from his hand he left the man lying there in fear.

Returning to his wife's side he read. The soft and loving song never altering as he sang her soul to peace.

QUOTE:
Shazir Heart of the Flame,
Archon of Cillicia,

While you are on the mission in the north the Carthaginian Melek, Hamilkar had sent a ship bearing gifts. I informed the Ambassador that my Archon has left me in charge of the palace affairs in your absence and that I am unable to receive the shipment without the Archon’s approval. I assured him I would dispatch a messenger to go swiftly to you with the news of his diplomatic visit and the gifts arrival. Now I await a reply from you. I also sent a messenger to Carthage informing Melek Hamilkar that the ship will be delayed of it’s return.

Lady Tia Gaia
High Lady of Adana

It was well cared for and in hand then. Perhaps this was a positive sign that the world was improving. Hope even that maybe she would awaken and they all go to greet them. A small hope in Shazir but not one to be surrendered easily.

A copy of the letter sent to the Melek was also inside.

QUOTE:
Great Hamilkar:

The Archon is on a mission to the north and has left me in charge of the castle affairs in his absence. I will send a messenger swiftly to give the Archon your proposal. I am truly sorry but I am unable to accept the gifts you have sent without my Archon’s approval. As soon as the messenger returns with the Archon’s reply I will send a messenger to you. I am sure the Archon will accept your proposal but I will suggest that a pact be drawn up between the two nations due to the unrest among the people & Marcus while I was living in Rome.

Lady Tia Gaia
High Lady of Adana

Now that he thought of it, Shazir had not asked the returned great lady what her life in Rome had been like.
A momentary self blame for not taking the opprtunity the Yazatas had offered him.

Perhaps the games would be a good time to gather information. Already the planning had begun.

Shazir halted singing to talk softly to the warm hearted woman he had taken for his wife.

You shall be remembered each year My Love. As long as I live we shall hold the games in your honor. It would be good if the name of Priestess Nyx was known even in far away lands such as Carthage. I will be sure they know they are welcome. Maybe your life will never truly be gone if I can do this, my love. Please feel how much we wish it to be so.

The door slowly and revrently closed with a look and a nod from the Cillician Archon.

The servant returned to his own quarters and thanked the Great Amazahd for another day of life unscathed, more sorrowed for his Patron and his sleeping true love than afraid for his own life.

The funeral procession had arrived in Cillicias Capital City. Proceeding through the small clusters of well developed lands they come to halt at the Royal Palace iin the Sea Cliff Palace City.

As the children and their father arrive they notice a delegation of foreign visitors in fine clothes standing in a group near the rest of the Household. Shazir assesses them briefly while he walks up the the palace steps carrying his youngest son. His oldest boy, already more serious than a child his age should be, only glances at them as well. Aether will be full of questions later but right now he has to light his mommy's way home.

After greeting His loyal High Lord, Lady Tia Gaia and ensuring the Sarcophagus is placed on display inside, Shazir returns to the Throne Room. He had to tell Aether he would be back to take his turn with Mommy's Light as soon as the new visitors were comfortable like mommy would make for them. The Kiss he gave Aether was a very happy and proud kiss, father to son.


Greetings to the Ambassador from Carthage. I have been told of your visit to our lands. I see a fine ship in our harbours and the obvious wealth of your dress speaks well of your nations resources. My land is also a place of strong wealth and resource. These strong stone and marble halls, held with brass, bronze, and copper have come from the heart of our own lands and hands of our own people.
I ask you to say nothing in them until I have observed a small ceremony between you and I.

Nodding to the wine bearer nearby he also smiles at the entrance of His Commander of Battle, thee glorious and beautiful Wisdom of the Blood, Tigrania and the excellent champion and hero, High Lord Beranos, who walks with her always as the husband and wife they are. A small sadness crosses Shazir's mind thinking of his own wife. The Wine bearer brings forth a tray with a large chalice of Jade filled with a deep gold colored wine.

I am recently come from my family summer palace which has even been burned as a funeral offering to rest my wife's spirit in, wherever the next life may be. She had made it a beautiful home. I regret you will not find her womans touch here in these halls anymore.
The comfort she would have given you here and the honor are now mine to provide, but I wish you to know it is yours. As long as you come with respect to Cillician lands you are welcome. Come in arrogance or anger and things will not be so well done.

Come have share a peace-cup of honey wine with me and then I will hear your words. Whatever they may be. This sharing will guarantee your life for this day and this night, I swear it. No matter the words you bring of friendship or foe.

After seeing the wisdom in this the Carthaginian Ambassador nods his head. The Archon of Cillicia takes the cup and stands before the Ambassador and as host takes the first drink to prove his sincerity. The cup is handed to the ambassador who then, as guest takes the rest of the wine. Shazir nods at the smile that is shown from him over the taste. Shazir smiles back knowing the large cup has much wine and though he drank half ....so did the Ambassador. A trust shared. Along with the risk that weaker drinkers became less cautious with their tongues on the strong Cillician wines. Diplomacy was ....challenging.

Shazir sits back down and nods for the Ambassador to begin.

QUOTE:
A group of rich-clothed mens and many black slaves. They asked for the palace of ruler of Cilicians. When they found the right place, they entered and come into the great a beatifull hall. The slaves put to the floor very nice carpets and on them many amphoras full of golden coins and elephant gold - ivory. Then one of rich-clothed mens step forward and said in good greek:

"Hail Mighty ruler of Cilicians! We heard in Carthage, that You are the mightiest from all rulers in easter part of great sea. So our Melek, Mighty Hamilkar sent us to ask you for your favor and grace. He sends you all this gifts as a sign of his own goodwil and suggest to you a pact of alliance and free trade relations. A pact, that will put our nations together in fight with those bloody barbarians, which are still dangering our provinces. When you will need help, we will help you and reversly. When you will need silver, gold, ivory etc. we can send you it for your incense and good vine from Cilicia.

Also we heard about the games, that are you holding in your realm. Some of our warriors wish to join them, so we ask you, if they can. many of our braviest mens would confront their brave and strengh with your mens, but in peacetime. For you is this a chance to show all the world, that your army has brave warriors and is a force, that can smash many enemies.

What do you say to proposal of our Melek?"

Shazir nods and then replies,
I accept your gifts and your praise. I am proud of the warriors I lead and welcome your Melek to participate in the ceremony and games we will have. You may see their fighting strength yourself.
As for the trade and sharing you offer, I wish to have more direct words with your Melek to make a truer and more binding agreement. If he will give me some short time after the games I will speak to him more of the chance for agreements. My warriors will fight and defeat our foes anywhere in the Seas and lands even unto your shores. Who they will be is a matter for leaders to discuss. At these words he nods to Tigrania.
Now I ask you to go where you wish and to send word as you want. For tonight and tomorrow....even until the games you have the status of honored guests in Cillician lands.

With this said Shazir stands.
I leave you now to be with my family. We will meet again later if you wish. Lady Tia Gaia , formerly of Rome, may be your guide while you are here. Tigrania and Beranos may speak with you if they wish.

Shazir returns to his sons and their mother's sarcophagus while the priests chant their ceremonies over her. A small flame in his heart deciding with her spirit what may come for the Melek of Carthage. Speaking in a soft, loving whisper to her as if she and he could still talk.
No futures are already written, my Love. You as Oracle taught me that.

When Shazir leaved them, ambassadors from Carthage have a small debate in punic. At the end of debate one of them make a step forward to lady Tia Gaia and said in greek:

We are pleased about the words of your ruler. But because our Melek, mighty Hamilkar, is on the way to here, we will tell him all, that happened since we have arrive here until now, and he will make the decisions. Now lady, if you can, we should return to our leased palace. The day is over and we should make small symposium. We, of course, invite you to join it. It is the finest opportunity to discuss about our countries in the light of culture and all those good things, that are making the life better and happier.