QBLH
The Queen of Swords
Mature feminine intellect,
unbiased judgment,
and constructive criticism.
​
Chapter LXIII
Queen Antiope of the Amazons
Older, wiser feminine intellect.
“Let us plan our route, Genie.”
Jim remained aware of Antiope—and of the reason he was here. Fair Antiope, he thought. Now that he had returned, he would find her and come and go invisibly, unseen by her rivals. He would wed her in this time and fulfill her hopes that his power might grant her happiness. To the world, he would appear as Theseus—arriving and departing as myth required.
He could not resist knowing where she was.
“Genie, can you deploy a surveillance probe and locate Antiope and Helen?”
“They are located,” Genie replied. “Do you wish to visit them? I can deploy a sentry to maintain their protection.”
“Very well. Where are they?”
“The island of Lesbos—only a few leagues from the Hittite city of Ilium.”
“Is that so?” Jim said. “A brief survey, then. Invisibility mode, Idiot.”
“Affirmative, Jim.”
In the blink of an eye, Jim stood beside Antiope—though she could not sense him. She had clearly unified the stranded Amazons under her leadership. Helen was not immediately visible.
“We have heard nothing from Her Majesty,” one Amazon said anxiously. “As you foretold, Lady Antiope, Artemis has abandoned us to be ravaged by these primitive men. Has all hope deserted us? Seven moons have passed since we last heard from Queen Isis.”
“Qblh has promised to rescue us, Medusa,” Antiope replied calmly. “Fear not.”
“It is not you who has been blamed for the deaths of so many good men,” Medusa said bitterly. “There is a terrible rumor spreading—that I am a hideous monster. Men hunt me, though they have never seen my face.”
“I cannot change that, Medusa,” Antiope said. “Isis appointed you to that role—long before my time. Do not despair. Qblh will arrive, as he always does.”
“We would feel reassured if we heard something from our true queen,” Medusa pressed. “It is unlike Isis to remain silent so long. Has something dreadful occurred—something you have not told us?”
“Why do you defend her so fiercely,” Antiope snapped, “when she assigns you the most abominable tasks imaginable?”
“How else am I to advance myself,” Medusa replied, “if I criticize the traditions of Artemis? I still find it remarkable that Isis placed you in command after your earlier treachery. Consider yourself fortunate that she forgave you—or are you deceiving us?”
Antiope adjusted her protective field just enough to deliver a mild shock.
“Regardless, Medusa,” she said coldly, “I wield the Stone. That is the true authority of Artemis. Count yourself fortunate that I did not strike you dead for your insolence.”
“Execute me, then,” Medusa challenged. “You would be the first Amazon queen to slay her own sister. Why make idle threats?”
“Very well,” Antiope replied. “You place your faith in Isis. I place mine in Qblh. We shall see which of us is correct.”
From the shadows emerged Helen.
“I stand with Antiope—and with Qblh,” she said evenly. “If any wish to challenge her authority, you must first face me. Are there any takers?”
No one answered.
Antiope and Helen were champions of Artemis—royal bodyguards to the Venetian rulers, unmatched by any present. Though neither held the queen’s full authority, Isis was absent, and none dared oppose them.
Both carried weapons Jim himself had given them. The jewel resting on Helen’s chest fed power directly to her hand weapon; Genie sensed the energy demand, opened a subspace channel, and replenished the moonstone’s reserves instantly. Antiope’s belt contained a similar source, though with broader capabilities. These gifts alone proved beyond doubt that Qblh supported them.
By court law, that was sufficient.
Helen, daughter of Sophia, naturally assumed the role of prime minister.
Jim longed to materialize and announce his return—but Idiot prevented it. The paradox-avoidance system would not allow his appearance. He would have to withdraw.
He noticed children among the camp—young boys. The sight unsettled him. He suspected Isis had succeeded in her crossbreeding experiments. He would need Antiope’s report on this progress.
Both Antiope and Helen showed signs of pregnancy.
Jim considered the implications. He could not justify returning Venetians to Artemis without retrieving his own children as well.
He lingered only briefly. Overheard gossip was no substitute for verified intelligence—but it was enough to clarify his course.
Jim returned to the Dutchman, reassuming physical form. Intending to test the wind, he had Genie transform the vessel into a fine sailing ship of the era, though a concealed turbo-assist remained available. It was the same configuration used during their Atlantic crossing.
Before long, another vessel appeared—identified by Idiot as a Cretan warship. It altered course to intercept.
Jim had no desire for conversation. The approach was aggressive; tribute, not greeting, was clearly intended. He turned north, steering straight toward Mount Thera and into the volcanic haze.
The pursuing ship broke off.
Few dared sail into that mist.
Jim had no intention of voyaging alone to Colchis, though he was capable of it. Instead, he resolved to sail to Greece and gather allies. He enjoyed sailing—but not enough to give it his constant attention.
Once clear of the volcanic plume, he set the ship on automatic and went below to consult Genie.
“The solution is simple,” Genie said. “When you reach Greece, assemble a crew. There is ample time. My calculations indicate several remaining Amazon tribes yet to be identified.”
“Simple,” Jim echoed. “Find a crew of men. That’s all?”
“It will suffice. Demonstrate invincibility, and loyalty will follow. The mission is ambitious; we may need to exercise our abilities liberally. To men, you will appear as Hercules. To women, we may present you as Theseus—or Paris. Our course will diverge from established myth.”
“And Medea?”
“Legend will claim Jason rescued her. You will perform the deed. Jason will take the credit.”
“And my death?” Jim asked.
“Your death here would produce irreversible consequences. I will prevent it.”
“So I am invulnerable?”
“No. You may still die—but not without consequence.”
“I can manage to stay alive,” Jim said dryly. “So how do we retrieve the women?”
“You mean Antiope and Helen.”
“Of course.”
“We require an ally.”
“Jason,” Jim concluded.
“Apparently.”
“I imagine the legends will embellish our deeds.”
“They will,” Genie agreed. “These myths describe events eight centuries before Homer. Do not allow future knowledge to dictate your actions.”
“Did you not tell me Xiang once visited Greece with his sister?”
“Yes. They were sent to establish a base at Delphi.”
“Isis has spread her influence widely.”
“Far more than we can correct in this visit. Our role is interruption—removal of the instigators.”
