"Move swift as the wind and closely-formed as the wood. Attack like the fire and be still as the mountains." -Sun Tzu, The Art of War

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Song: Unaccompanied Cello Suite No. 1 in G Major, BWV 1007: I. Prelude by Johann Sebastian Bach
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It had been a couple of days since Fiona Clarke had been detained and Ophelia had no clue that her mother sat in the cells in the basement of the castle.

Ophelia had been having the time of her life. Every morning Zeus and her would go to the garden and eat breakfast on the cliff. It was becoming quite the tradition. She had been able to play all sorts of games on the fancy computer, usually she sat with him in his office or she baked with Eunice while he worked. Ophelia was itching to move and had even found the most perfect small empty room to do so.

The two mates were just finishing a small lunch together when Ophelia bravely asked Zeus if she could use the room to dance. Of course Zeus agreed. He had even set her up with a fancy music player, which she didn't understand how to use at all. It wasn't like she could read the name of the songs, but it was the thought that counted.

"I am just going to be in the private meeting room next to my office, okay?" Zeus wished he could stay and watch her but Poseidon was supposed to come in the evening to discuss important matters.

"Okay!" Ophelia didn't stutter. In the past few days her stutter has lessened when she is with Zeus alone.

First she stretched a little bit to help her move and open up. She reached for her toes, sat in her split and folded over so her nose touched her knees. She felt her joints loosen. Ophelia felt good and after about ten minutes of stretching. She then practiced a couple leaps and twirls until she was finally ready to figure out how to work the music.

Ophelia was terrified of breaking the gift from Zeus. She didn't understand how to really work the piece of technology, at home she just had a bunch of cds and would press the triangle button to play and the two lines to stop. She looked at the fancy music player and just hit a random song like Zeus showed her how to do. Just with a click of a button music played through the room. She quickly set it down softly on the floor.

She closed her eyes, listening to the first few notes of a cello. Ophelia smiled and after five seconds she knew it was by Sebastian Bach and within eight seconds knew exactly which song was playing and in which key.

Ophelia had come to learn, memorize and love classical music. Ophelia's father would play it while she did her chores throughout the day and quiz her on who composed the piece and what the name was.

She listened closely to the notes to refresh her memory of all the twists and turns. When the song ended it started to play again.

It was fast and short but so was Ophelia.

She started to let herself fall into another world. The music was the only thing that registered in her mind. Her body just did whatever felt right. Her movements were precise but flowed like the cello flowed from note to note.

Ophelia felt free. It was the first time in a long time, she was able to dance without being interrupted by her mother.

The notes ranged from high to low. Weaving through the emotions.

Her heart was steady. She was in a euphoric state. When she leaped she felt like she was soaring.

The song came to a close and she ended her dance out of breath, just to start again.

*******

Zeus had gathered key members of his council to speak about Poseidon's visit. He was a wise king and understood that he must hear the opinions of his people before moving forward with something. Although many villagers thought he was a cold king, they all respect his decisions. He had never led his people in the wrong path.

"Poseidon is at war with Medusa. He has asked for my assistance." Zeus informed his trusted members.

There was Apollo, who was a man of few words. His area of expertise was medicine but did do a lot for the country's arts. He was always the voice of reason. Apollo had a sort of light that seemed to follow him. He was gentle but firm.

Then there was Ares. He too spoke very few words but he was a great leader. Him and Ajax lead King Zeus' army. He was strategic about everything he did. He was the exact opposite of Apollo. He did everything with force and raw power. Many people coward at just his name.

Artemtis was one of the few women on the council. She easily held her own. She spoke for the women in the country. She traveled all over to ensure she would give women what they needed. Zeus understood that women played an important factor in every issue. Therefore Aremtis was at nearly every meeting. In fact her and Zeus developed a great friendship over the years.

Lastly, is Demeter, who was the only other woman with Artemtis. Demeter dealt with agriculture through the kingdom. In the 100 years that she had held the position there had been no famines even through wars. She had a way with the lands. Zeus held great respect for her and trusted her advice when it came to feeding his people. Anytime talk of war was brought up he would ask her opinion. He wouldn't let his people starve to fight someone else's war.

"What are they fighting over?" Ares growled out.

"Medusa would like to use the seas to travel but Poseiden had denied her request. They have been going back and forth in the past couple of years and it seems to have escalated. From the information Hermes gathered Medusa attacked Posideon's people. Killed four children the first time. Then went for a school a second time."

People sat up a bit straighter. Everyone knew Medusa wasn't one to play around when she didn't get her way but to attack and target children was unheard of.

"It is against all the laws to do such a thing." Artemtis was shocked.

"It is." Zeus nodded. "Poseidon has asked for our assistance through the war. His people can fight the waters but he wants to secure the borders on land."

"One of the main entrances to Posideon's capital city is through our lands." Ajax pointed out to his fellow members.

"Yes. I have sent Hermes to try and gather information on Medusa's plans and inform other coastal nations of the upcoming war." Zeus had given Hermes the task two days prior and had yet to hear anything. "The question is, do we join them in their fight?"

There was a pause.

"We have enough warriors." Ares grunted and Ajax nodded in agreement.

"We are also training more. Half are almost completed with training and half are just starting."

"I would feel confident in you completing the training of the half that are almost done. Then passing it along to a second in command. If we move into a war I want both my top commanders focused on the bigger issues. What is your opinion, Artemis?" Zeus looked at the woman.

"The women warriors are strongly prepared and we have straightened out any prejudice within the ranks, though I hope you are still looking out for any issues." She looked to the two commanders who simply nodded. "The only problem I am seeing currently is the women and children in the countryside. There are many men warriors waiting to be called into duty. The percentage of countryside women joining the warrior troops is miniscule. Meaning that many of the women would be left to run their household and villages alone. I would only ask that you keep half of the male warriors in the back countries to protect the lands and help the women."

"The men also help greatly in the farms out there. To take them away from the farms would lead to a shortage in wheat, corn, fruits along with dairy and meat."

Zeus knew a lot of the warriors came from the small farming villages in the backcountry. He saw the point the two women made. Zeus looked to Apollo who seemed lost in his thoughts.

"I only have 50 medical assistance trained for medical combat. They agreed that if needed they would be sent to war zones. Though I am hoping you can send more than one to each location." Apollo finally answered after some thought. "Aclepius has a few more he is training in the royal hospital."

"That is fine. I would want at least three medical personnel in each location, two at the very least, but I will talk to Aclepius." Zeus made sure Barak was taking notes in the corner. "How many warriors could we promise? Do we have enough food to even survive any battle without rationing between houses?"

"I estimate ten thousand warriors." Ares nodded to Ajax's statement.

"We have more than enough food supplies. The fall harvest is peaking and the southern growing season is just coming up. With the cattle population at its height for the first time in years." Demeter looked over her paperwork with all the numbers and statistics.

"If we help Poseidon secure borders Medusa will surely wage war on us as well. It won't be right away but it will be soon. Are we prepared to go all in?" Zeus had fought against Medusa before and regretted not ending her life. He knew her tactics.

All five key members looked at each other.

"Yes."

Zeus nodded lost in thought. He had to ensure this was right for his people but respected the opinions of his advisors and council.

"Poseidon will be here in two hours. I want both you, Ajax, and you, Ares, attending the meeting to discuss any war matters. I will summon you when he arrives. You are all dismissed." Zeus waved them off.

They stood and left the room quickly, Barak even went to stand outside the door. The King's tone was darker then normal and they knew he needed time to think.

Instead of staying in the room by himself, which is what he normally does, he stood up quickly. It was as if he was on autopilot. He pushed through the door, Barak knew not to follow him. He walked down hallways, stairs and through doors until he stood at the room he was itching to go in.

He could hear a loud cello playing. Slowly he pushed the door open, trying not to be noticed. Luckily he wasn't. When he was able to step in the empty room he was amazed.

Ophelia's eyes were closed as she danced. It was probably her fifteenth time going through the entire routine. Each time was just as passionate. Her skin glistened with sweat. Her hair, that started in a bun, was half up-half down with strands going everywhere. Her cheeks were flushed from the constant movement.

Zeus knew this was the most beautiful thing he would ever witness.

Ophelia finally didn't seem anxious or uncomfortable. She looked liberated. He watched her gracefully move to the beat and express the cello notes through her body. He didn't want to blink. It seemed to be a common fear of his lately, afraid that he was just dreaming.

He stepped closer just a bit as she did multiple sashays and pirouettes across the room until she came crashing into him. Her eyes opened wide.

"Hi." He whispered, holding her up so she wouldn't fall.

"H-hi."

"You look beautiful." She giggled, falling into him.

Ophelia did not feel beautiful. She felt sweaty. Her shorts stuck to her body and the t-shirt he gave her was also starting to acquire moisture. She knew her hair looked crazy.

"Do you dance a lot?" He pulled her into his body.

"Yes! My p-papa taught me!" Ophelia smiled. The song still played in the background.

"Really? Was he a dancer?" Zeus hadn't heard her speak of her father before.

"No, my s-sisters would go to ballet classes and m-mama wouldn't let me go s-so papa would sit and w-watch them and then t-teach me! He even got me the fancy shoes! I m-miss him lots." Ophelia rambled.

"I am sure he is looking after you." Zeus hugged her.

"Y-yes! Sometimes I look into the s-stars and see him."

"Will you show me sometime? I would love to meet him."

She giggled but nodded.

"He would love you." She stated in a whisper.

"Why?"

"You g-gave me the w-world to explore. He always wanted me to find my adventure."

"I haven't gotten to show you the world yet?" Zeus said curiously.

"Y-yes but you have given me hope. Hope is more important t-than anything."

Just like that both their souls sighed in content. The two remained still as they listened to the last few notes of the song letting the moment settle and evolve into something of pure peace.