Midnight Express

The journey to Themyscira was extraordinary. The Dunchovians had such long experience riding, and their steeds were so steady, that they were able to sleep while riding. After going some distance, Vedagaisic and Balischo planned on taking turns asleep. Vedagaisic had nudged Balischo awake the first hour, and they switched. Vedagaisic had just about fallen asleep when Balischo said, "Wake up! I think we are there!"

Vedagaisic looked at the sky, and then looked around, and he said, "Too soon!"

Balischo said, "This is a big city. Look at all the houses!"

Vedagaisic replied, "They have left the lamps burning at the post stations. There is one yonder. Why don't you go and ask?"

Vedagaisic waited while Balischo rode down to the post station. A woman came out, and he could see her shake her head and point in the direction that they were travelling. Balischo returned with the news. "We are still about three hours out."

Vedagaisic was disciplined enough not to say, "I told you so." He just said, "Good," and started to sleep.

They passed through larger and larger villages. The land started to roll. Both riders were awake as they navigated a tricky path up a steep hill. They were thinking about taking a break to rest when they saw a very large building on the crest of the hill. Before it was a small group. Serveral torches were lit, and soldiers in uniform waved at them. The Dunchovians approached, but did not dismount. Vedagaisic then noticed that the clothes of two of the women were different. They looked much like those of the woman that the steingeweser had given him in his vision.

"Themyscira?" he asked.

One of the women in the special clothes pointed in the direction of the road. The Dunchovians turned their heads, and gazed at the sprawling city. Balischo said, "I did not think that this was possible." Vedagaisic nodded his head, and said, "It is big. Are we going there?"

One of the soldiers said, "I need to know how you are, first."

Vedagaisic dismounted, and handed him the envelope. Vedagaisic, the soldier, and one of the women went into the large building. The soldier went to a table, broke the seal of the envelope,and spread the paper inside across a table. The woman read the message silently. Satisfied, she said, "Are you Vedagaisic?"

"I am."

"Vedagaisic, I am Gloria, and the other lady is Rose. We were awakened about an hour ago with word that you were coming, and just got here. Did either of you see the vision?"

Vedagaisic said, "I saw a complete vision. Balisho saw a fragment, as many of our tribe did."

Gloria replied, "I need to see for myself what is out there. I will ride with the outbound post in an hour or so. Rose will take you to the court at Themyscira sometime today. You have had a long journey, but I need to know as much as I can from you right now. We will let Balisho rest for now, as we need you both to be refreshed as soon as possible. There are some things in Themyscira that we may need you to see later today. Can you stay awake for a time while I ask you some questions?"

"Yes, ma'am."

Gloria giggled just a little. The Dunchovian appeared to be somewhat older than she was, and probably was a respected elder in his tribe. Gloria and Rose had the duty of working on some plan for rescuing Princess Astra from the dragon. Therefore, they were awakened when the post arrived in Themyscira, and they hastily rode to the station on the hill just outside the city gates to meet the Dunchovians. The tale that was told to them was a wild one, but very interesting. The plan was for Gloria to ride ahead and try to catch the Dunchovians before they reached the caves. Rose would follow after a more detailed inquiry of the two men, with whatever reinforcements were appropriate. The soldiers asked Balisho to dismount and to get some rest. They wanted to talk to Vedagaisic alone. Balisho seemed reluctant. Vedagaisic assured him that this was fine, and that he should get some sleep if possible. Rose handed him a cup of water, and assured Balisho that city of Themyscira had endured for hundreds of years, and would not walk away in the few hours where he would be resting. Balisho accepted the cup. The water was actually more of a sweet juice. He propped himself up on a pile of fresh straw that lay against the wall of the building. The straw smelled very good. Within a few minutes, he was fast asleep on the straw.

Seated at a bench on the table inside the building, Gloria asked Vedagaisic some questions.

1. The first question Gloria had...

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