Theore and Azura

The city of Atlantis was by far the most beautiful city in all of the world.

Huge pillars clad in aqua and cream tiles rose from exquisite flower gardens, ivy climbing elegantly around them. Skilled as fishermen, the town’s population had harvested thousands of oysters, and the pearls had been flattened to create the roofs of the buildings. They danced and gleamed in the sunlight, reflecting the wondrous colours below. Each window and doorway was edged in golden gilt; each marble floor was polished till it sparkled.

For a while, the Atlanteans were happy.

Atlantis had a good and generous King. His name was Theore. He had ruled the city for many years, and was well loved by the citizens. Together, Theore and the people of Atlantis had made the city the most elegant and prosperous for miles.

It was decided one day that Theore should take a bride. Many grand balls took place in the splendid palace, until Theore had met all the eligible ladies in the land. One stood out to him. She was a striking lady, with long, pale hair and eyes that were the same colour as the ocean.

A date was set, and the engagement was announced.

The city rejoiced. Banners of silver and blue hung from balconies. Minstrels sang on every corner, and elaborate parades danced through the streets. Grand Royal banquets were held every night for a month to celebrate the approaching wedding.

The day of the ceremony dawned at last. King Theore rode to the cathedral in a carriage drawn by four pure white horses, each wearing plumes of blue and gold feathers atop their bridles. The citizens gathered along the streets to wave and cheer as their noble ruler passed by. King Theore looked proudly on as he travelled through his beautiful kingdom.

The next carriage to ride through the city was that of his bride to be. The Lady Azura sat demurely on a silk draped seat and waved delicately to the people she passed. The crowds cheered and clapped for the elegant beauty who was soon to be their Queen.

The service was soon over, and the King stepped forth from the cathedral for the first time with his new bride. He had never been happier as he gazed upon her blue-green eyes, and reached for her hand. As her fingers curled around his, she looked up at him and smiled.

“We shall rule this city together, and it shall grow further still, and prosper even more greatly.”

“My love, whatever you wish for, I shall endeavour to provide you with.” Theore replied.

If only he had known then that her wishes would bring about the destruction of the great Atlantis.

They ruled happily for five years. Together, they created a trade agreement with the neighbouring city of Athens. The city became even richer by selling pearls and coral to the Greeks. In return, they bought elaborate pottery and vases. A balance was struck where both parties profited from the other. Trade routes were laid between the cities, and merchants travelled tirelessly between them, driving caravans laden with goods.

Theore and Azura soon had a child. A girl, whom they named Seraphina was born to them. She had the same eyes as her mother, but the dark hair of her father. It was after her birth that Theore began to notice a change in his wife. No trinket made her happy, no bauble brought a smile to her sensuous lips. Her voice, which once had brought the halls of the palace to life with her exquisite singing, now remained mute. It was late one night that Theore went to her in their bedchamber.

“My darling wife, something ails you. Won’t you tell me what troubles you so?”

“Oh, my dear husband, I fear for our city! Athens grows richer by the day. I fear they will be richer still than us!” Azura replied, her eyes stormy.

“Dear Azura, I will ensure we remain the richest of all if only it will bring the colour back into your cheeks!”

With that promise, Theore set about instructing his merchants to put up the prices of their goods. They were to sell pearls and coral for only the highest of bounties. Soon, they were by far the richest city in all the land, yet still Azura remained dour. Theore returned to her one evening.

“My dear, we are now more prosperous than ever! We have more money than we could spend in a lifetime. Why do you still ail so?”

“Oh, dear husband! I fear for our city still! Athens has such a large army! Ours lacks men by hundreds.”

“If it will please you my love, I shall build the biggest army in the land!” Theore promised his wife.

Orders were sent out to every man in the city over the age of sixteen, and a huge army was assembled. Archers stood guard atop every proud tower. Guards marched the streets and kept a stand at the city gates. The city had the largest army for miles. Still, the Queen would not smile.

Theore once more visited her.

“Azura, I ache to hear you laugh once more! What troubles you still?”

“Oh, my beloved! I am troubled by a great fear! Athens must surely envy our great fortune and prosperity. If only they weren’t so near!”

“My Queen, if moving Atlantis is what you wish, then so be it!”

Theore sent messengers to the cities hunters the next day. He ordered the capture of every winged beast in the land. Soon, thousands of birds, from sparrows to eagles were held in huge gilt cages in the city square. Theore had them tethered to the ground, and released from the cages. The city echoed with the sound of a thousand wings beating, but alas, the city did not move.

Theore sent hunters to Athens, bearing orders to return with all the birds which flew in their skies as well. Within a week, the sun was barely visible in the sky through the throng of birds which flapped, tethered to the ground. Yet still, the city would not lift.

Sadly, Theore returned to the chambers of his wife.

“Alas, dear wife, I have failed you!” he cried, greatly anguished. “We remain the same distance from Athens.”

“I have not slept for a week, through the worry! I can smell the blood on their swords, I can hear their boots as they march toward us, intent on our demise!” Azura began weeping uncontrollably.

Theore was beside himself with grief. He left the chamber, and made his weary way to the great hall, where he sat at the large table. Calling for a servant, he requested a flagon of ale and parchment and quill. He sat the whole night, planning how to move the city. As dawn broke, he eventually had an idea.

Word spread through the city that the Queen was melancholy, and that the King was becoming insane through her depression. When all the soldiers were suddenly called to the palace for new orders, they believed the rumours to be justified. People began leaving for Athens in droves. Soon, the streets were deserted. The glorious city was becoming a ghost town.

The soldiers received their new duties, and, ever loyal, set about them immediately. A huge trench was dug around the borders of the city.

Theore returned to Azura.

“My dearest love, soon we shall be miles from Athens!” he announced. Her porcelain face turned to his, and a faint smile reached her lips.

“I knew you would not fail me.”

“I made you a promise on our wedding day that I would do anything to please you. I hope now that you will always trust in that.”

Azura smiled, and the King felt his heart lift. Inspired by her happiness, Theore stood on the balcony of his great palace and spurred on his troops. The trench got deeper and wider, until soldiers three men deep could no longer be seen within it. Still Theore called to them, still he shouted for them to make it deeper, deeper, deeper!

Soon, the soldiers had dug so deep, they could feel the heat from the very core of the Earth. Theore ordered they dig beneath the city, to lower it from the reach of Athens. The soldiers tunnelled beneath the great Atlantis, they tunnelled until the city fell atop of them, and crushed them beneath it’s massive weight.

Atlantis had fallen into a huge hole. The earth stood thousands of feet high on either side. The citizens who had not yet left for Athens, found themselves stranded. Food and water soon ran out. People began to starve. The once gleaming and splendid city became overgrown and dirty.

Theore stumbled to his wife for the last time. Azura lay, pale and barely breathing in her bed, half covered by dirty silken sheets. She gazed up at her husband.

“At last, now we are safe.” Her voice was barely more than a whisper.

“My love, are you now finally happy again?” Theore asked her.

“Yes.” She replied, a faint smile lighting up her clouded eyes. Theore saw this and smiled back, allowing his starved body to finally give way beneath him.

******

Over the years, the Earth shifted, as the Earth does, and the great pit in which Atlantis slowly rotted in became filled with the ocean. Legends of Atlantis spread throughout the world. Many theories ran rife as to it’s downfall, but none were true.

Only a few people have ever heard the tale of Theore and Azura.