Author's note: Like I said before, I'm totally making up the customs of the Amazons, as this is not only historical fiction,but fantasy. Once again, my apologies to history purists. I'm also inspired by Marion Zimmer Bradley's "The Firebrand" and "The Fall of Atlantis". They're excellent books by the way and I highly recommend them.

Chapter Two: Beautiful Illusions

Pharaoh Nebkheperure Tutankhamun braced himself for another round of dull and dreary talk with the Amazonian diplomats. The Triad Queens of the Amazons had sent a final messenger-the Lady Elissa of Themiskrya and a near kinswoman of the Lady Alcyone of Themiskrya herself.

He was prepared for another unnatural woman-warrior, full of bravado and ferocity that to be quite frank, puzzled him. His stepmother Nefertiti had been an unusual woman but even she would have balked at going to the lengths the Amazon women did.

Yet nothing on this Earth could have prepared him for this diplomat. The doors opened and Abana introduced her: "Horus Incarnate, Pharaoh Nebkheperure Tutankhamun and his Great Wife, Queen Ankhesenamun, this is the Lady Elissa of Themiskrya, near kinswoman to Queen Alcyone and the representative of the Triad Queens of the Amazon Warriors."

Abana led "Elissa" to the seat opposite of Tutankhamun's own. He watched her with inward surprise and curiosity. She was nothing like the other three Amazonian diplomats. The representative before him was of medium height and slender. Light brownish-red waves were pulled back into a seemingly simple coiffure. Yet despite her demure and respective attitude, she gave off an aura of quiet power. No, this Elissa was most definitely not what she seemed, of that the young king was certain.

Ankhesenamun had a similar reaction. The young warrior before her walked with a deadly grace. She wore a simple white gown with an emerald green sash around her waist. Attached to the sash were two ceremonial weapons-a dagger and a knife that spoke of her important station in the Amazon hierarchy. It was all she could do to surpress a shiver. This quiet woman unnerved her.

"Hail, Pharaoh Nebkheperure Tutankhamun and his most beloved Great Royal Wife, Queen Ankhesenamun, may the Gods bless you both! I am..Elissa, daughter to Lady Xanthe,kinswoman to Queen Alcyone of the Themiskryan Amazons and representative of the Three Queens. May the ever-bright Virgin Huntress and Lady of the Moon, the Goddess Artemis and the magnificent Great Mother Isis and her most Divine Son Horus bless our meeting today!" Dido said. For all intents and purposes, she looked every inch an Amazon warrior and diplomat.

Yet deep within her soul, she was full of curiosity and wonderment. Since the moment Tutankhamun had been born, Dido had always watched over him from the Otherworld, had always been there to comfort him unseen. There was nothing about him that she did not know.

Still, Dido was simply not prepared for the shock of seeing, never mind talking to her Charge face to face. Tutankhamun would soon be celebrating his eighteenth birthday and Ankhesenamun would be turning twenty-one next year. Obviously, she herself was ageless, but for this task she had assumed the role of the nineteen year old Elissa. The real Elissa was in Nubia in a deep sleep. She would not wake from it until Dido's task was done.

Before the actual discussions began, the Pharaoh and his Queen greeted her with the necessary welcoming phrases and bid her to sit down. The three of them fell to making small talk and empty pleasantries before diving into political talks.

"Lady Elissa, from what we have experiences with your fellow representatives, you come from a fascinating culture. I am most curious about a tribe where women rule and live apart from the men. What is it like?" Ankhesenamun asked, half out of politeness, half out of genuine interest.

"For us, it is simply the norm yet many countries are still astounded that we voluntarily choose to live like this. That is how many rumors about my people start. We do not kill our menfolk. Our fathers, brothers, sons and uncles are actually part of a different tribe. We meet often and during wartime, ride out to battle as one. In Themiskrya, they are called the Kentaurs and are experts at taming horses. In Lemnos and in Libya, they have different names." Dido explained, thankful that Isarma had coached her in Amazon customs before being sent down to Earth.

Tutankhamun was also interested about the customs of this woman's people, yet he knew they had to get down to business. He gently broke in and subtly reminded them that it was time to get into political discussions.

"You see, Egypt would release the captives after negotiations but what makes this situation so muddled is the Khatti Empire. The King insists that they were lawfully captured at battle-according to your own laws, any warrior who is defeated in battle is unfit to be an Amazon and therefore his rightful property." Tutankhamun said.

Dido gritted her teeth. "So ran the law a thousand years ago! Only the Amazon Queen or the Kentuar Chief have any say over who is unfit to stay with the tribe." she said, eyes growing dark.

The Pharaoh sighed. This was tricky, because the Khatti Lord was extremely prideful, bordering almost to arrogance and the Amazons were fierce warriors. He did not want to cause a conflict with either of them. Egypt could not handle it, not now when the Restoration was finally working.

"I will send envoys, asking for messengers and representatives to hold peace talks, because it is obvious that Egypt cannot settle this by ourselves. You may have to stay for three months or perhaps longer, depending on what the King of Khatti says to the letters." Tutankhamun said, attempting to hide the fact that he was stressed.

Dido nodded, sensing the stress level in the room heighten. 'You'll be lucky if stress is all you will ever have to deal with after the next month or so' she thought sadly.

The meeting reverted back to pleasantries and "getting to know you" small talk before it ended about an hour or so later.

As she left for her own room, the Guardian caught the worried look Ankhesenamun gave to her husband and mentally sighed. This assignment wasn't going to be easy, and she could sense the high levels of stress and mistrust in the air. It was like an invisible hand choking her.

Once in her rooms, Dido pondered her next move, unaware that she wasn't the only one plotting. Good and evil had chosen their sides and their chess pieces, and the fight to avert Destiny had officially begun.