"Why should I help you?"

"Why should I help you?" Sophia asks. "You are asking me to betray both my city and my husband." She pauses before continuing on a slightly different tack.

"Why should I believe that anything I say or do would keep my daughter and I from being sent to the auction block."

"If you can give me Har’Amaden, you will have truly earned clemency." You tell her calmly admiring her poise and grace as she negotiates with you. "Do you even know what Poteculus Har’Amaden means to the city of Heliopolis?"

"I know he captured the High Priestess' daughter..." You could hear the confusion in her voice "...but why he should be blamed more than any other slaver I still don't understand."

"Har’Amaden served for over five years as the head of security for the Temple of Helios. For years pilgrims, merchants and adventurers who stopped by the Temple of Helios to offer sacrifices for safe passages would discuss the safest routes to take." Your anger over the bastard's years of systematic betrayal of your city is evident. "No one could understand how the raiders were so successful at picking the richest targets hitting them at just the right time and place. Even when the Temple's guards were found **** with their throats slit and the temple's treasures plundered no one blamed the good man."

It is clear from Sophia's and Adriana's reaction that the details of just how Har’Amaden was so successful in betrayal of Heliopolis were not common knowledge her in Athenapolis. You finish the grim tale quickly.

"For two weeks prayers were chanted and sacrifices were offered for the safe return of both Har-Amaden and Amara, it was not until reports of his triumphant entrance into Athenapolis that his treason was clear. Don't you think the capture of this man would be rewarded?" You saw the two woman exchange a slight glance, would they go for it?

"I want to see the men responsible pay for what they have done." You tell the women. "Why should you pay for their greed, when it is they who brought this on their own city?"

"But my husband..." Sophia begins again and you laugh out loud at her words.

"Do you know what your husband had planned for Adriana?" You ask glancing down at the delightful beauty laying on the great bed draped in only a thin sheet.

"I'm sure he offered her hand in marriage in exchange for a spot in the Citadel for his family."

"Almost, My Lady. He offered her not as a wife, but as a ****; a naked nameless beauty for Poteculus to take and enjoy or sell as he chose." Adriana stiffened beside you, and Sophia's face hardens in anger. "And that's not all he offered" you tell her "Har’Amaden asked for you to be thrown in to sweeten the deal and from the sound of this missive your husband had agreed to his demand." You pass the letter to Sophia and motion for Adriana to join her mother so she can read through the words together. Lady Attenotis skimmed through the letter her voice rising in indignation as the essence of her husband's arrangement with the slaver becomes clear.

"...further our partnership with this arrangement ... few would be surprised at the disappearance of two beauties in the haze of warfare ... serve you with their sweet bodies ... most likely end up serving in a brothel of a distant city ... " Sophia throws the letter into the floor spitting on it as it falls to the tiles.

"Bastard!" Her voice is low but clear. "What game does he think he is playing?"

"I think I can answer that Lady Attenotis." Antonios joins the conversation again. "I believe he intended to open his own **** market and school."

"What was he thinking?" Asks Adriana "Surely the armies of Heliopolis will put an end to the capture of cheap new slaves."

"I believe your father had a different source in mind for raw slaves. Do any of these names look familiar?" He hands the rest of the sheets to the two women. You can guess what Lord Attenotis had in mind, but it takes the women a few moments to realize that the names on the sheets were detailed lists of the most beautiful women of Athenapolis.

"I'll help you Captain." Sophia's face is white and her lips are pale but you can see the determination in her eyes. "I'll do whatever I can to catch my husband and Har'Amaden and put an end to their plans."