Untangling Aella

Chapter Twelve

If the jetlag didn't make us lethargic, the extra training before the competition surely did. After a long soak in the tub and twelve hours of sleep. It was kind of like one of those binge sleeps, where you haven't slept properly for days then BAM! You crash for like 18 hours. Best. Sleep. Ever.

"Deltas! Rise!" bellowed Androdemeia really loud. Sheesh! Can't a lady get some beauty sleep?

Multiple groans of other slumberous Amazons seemed to agree with me. Somehow I stumbled out, my hair sticking out in every not so flattering direction.

We all stood outside our doors in the large hallway in a military fashion. Once we were all waiting outside, Androdemeia looked at us all then paced in the hall in front of us.

"Your uniforms have been placed at the end of your beds. Remember, Sisters we fight to retain our honour but our ultimate goal is the safe return of our girdle. Be careful to keep a wide berth around Aella, she is charged with gaining insight for us. Make our Queen proud, sisters. Be valiant. Now is your chance to silence the jeers of the infernal Greeks with your courage and strength in our victory this year. Because we WILL be victorious this year!!"

With that, the Deltas began to shout and cheer. We began to clap, yell and stomp our feet as we raised our morale for this competition.

After her rousing speech, we all went back to our rooms to find our attire waiting for us. A white, dress-like item was hanging up. I immediately recognised it as a peplos. Seen as it was a formal occasion I decided to put it on.

The other pieces of clothing I later saw included a chiton for more casual days which was essentially a shorter dress that stopped at my days. I had also a red cloak and peplos for a formal, dinner and festival function. More than anything, it was to show that I was Spartan affiliated.

After changing and wrapping myself whichever way in the peplos, which was quite tedious but I had to blend in. Essentially, the peplos was a crisp white article of clothing worn by Greek women and it was ankle-length garment that was cinched in at the waist with some of it draper over. Extra material hung off my shoulders and made me feel very classical. It was light and airy, the peplos felt crisp against my skin, which was good for an expectant mother.

To complement my outfit, I decided to do style my hair in an up style with a braid around my crown. With that done, I was ready to leave.

Bidding farewell to my sisters, including Valasca, Phoebe, Doris and Andromeda (the Android's twin) I made my way out the backdoor and headed towards the polis (city) of Olympia.

With the competition, the city was bustling. People were trying to sell their wares and I was so tempted to buy their items but I knew I couldn't be dissuaded from getting to the event on time. I had to be early - it was my thing.

As I passed the town centre, a group of men were milled around. The jeers from the men were enough to make me blush. One, a rugged Greek, golden skinned, eyes as clear as the water in the Cyclades, brown hair that fell just across his forehead, stubble on his chin and a cheeky grin on his face looked at me and winked.

Feeling my inner Amazon, I glared at him despite the flutter in my heart that I felt from staring into his pristine turquoise eyes.

Getting up from his relaxing sitting position he walked towards me and made a grand show of holding out a white anemone.

"Aphrodite incarnate, if I told you that your body was beautiful would you hold it against me?"

Cue the cheesy pick-up line. Great. Sigh.

"Buddy, right now you just might be staring at Athena incarnate and she's about to cut you in half with her sword if you don't get out of her way."