In one of the groups at AncientSites that I ran, we developed a kind of add-on story that became quite exciting. Each posting was a full chapter in length, and we ended up with an incomplete but amazingly well-written 16 chapter story that could make an interesting play or script. If anything else, I'm going to post the first chapter here to spark some creativity. The story gets better with each chapter/posting, and involved murder, mystery, dark secrets and hidden treasures. See what you think, and if you are curious, I managed to salvage all 16 chapters.

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The Lion's Gate

Chapter 1: Interlude

"Finish your meal, Admete. It will not help to be hungry when you enter the city," admonished Rhea. Rhea was the only family Admete had ever known. Rhea was her teacher, her parent, her guide and protector, as well as her friend. More than once, she had seen Rhea stand ready to defend her against thieves and slavers. Admete always, well, almost always, obeyed Rhea.

"Rhea, when we reach Mycenae, wil we see the Lion? Peleus told me that the Lion will come to life when we pass through the Gate. Will he?" Admete felt a trace of fear tug at her heart; while trying to appear as though she would not be concerned if Rhea told her they would have to run for their lives at the Gate.

"Peleus was tring to scare you, silly child. He was jealous that he could not come along to see the King." Rhea noticed the fine lines easing around Admete's mouth, as she relaxed her expression and set about finishing her meal.

Rhea looked lovingly at Admete. She felt as if this lovely 15-year old girl was her own child. She thought they truly were mother and daughter, although Rhea was only 27 herself. They both had raven hair and rose-colored skin. However, Admete's eyes had almost no color, they were almost crystal clear. So clear, you could see into them; like looking into a diamond or a crystal ball...? And those dimples! Admete could get away with 'almost' anything when she smiled.

Rhea smiled at Admete and began packing the remainder of their food away. The nagging worry as to what the King could possibly want with this young girl began again. Could it have something to do with Admete's parents' relationship to the Royal family? A fear for the life of her charge, in such a place as the palace of the King, was always foremost in her mind these days. Rhea struggled to push the fear back into it's hiding place for now.

"It is getting late Admete. Put your cloak on now. Soon the sun will be down and the night air will be cool." Rhea wrapper her own cloak about her. Shanded one of the carrying bags to Admete and slipped the other bag over her own shoulder. Taking Admete's hand, she kissed it quickly and once again the two companions began walking toward Mycenae and the Lion Gate.