A somber return to Camp

After your proclamation of your willingness to fight even the gods themselves, everyone walks with a quiet deliberation. Around you, the city is awakening but the Lord Marshal's grim-faced escort easily clears the streets you are walking through and even the company of armed men guarding the bridge over the Elaina pulls back to let your party pass without incident into the eastern bank of the city. Soon you are passing through a rubble-filled archway leading from the city. Its destroyed gates have been dragged to the side to allow movement in and out of the city during the cease-fire. Once out of the city you walk into the open fields along the well beaten path leading up to your encampment, as you walk you think over the tremendous events of the morning. You meant what you said. If the threat of retribution allows you to stay with your friends - no, they're more like the family you've never had. In light of the recent revelations you wonder if your adopted parents made some deal with Zeus. For that matter, you wouldn't be surprised to learn that their inability to have children of their own was part of Zeus' plan. Your true parents seem little better, your father Ares wants you to unleash you upon the inhabitants of the city but does not care who's blood is shed or why, would the slaughter that came with the fall of Athenapolis raise your standing or that of the war god? Lastly, Athena your mother, she using you to regain her city but the sadness in her eyes tells you she at least cares for you.

"My Lord you've been too quiet, are you all right?" Surprisingly it is Lady Sandrine who asks instead of Alexia or Galeon but you are more caught off guard by her calling you Lord, not 'your majesty' even 'King Kalion' or even 'Bruce'. There is fear underlying her question, perhaps a fear that, like the other gods, you care nothing for the collateral damage you might bring down onto the mortals around you. Her fear strikes like a blow from a war-hammer; in hindsight the launching of the ballista bolt may have been too much for your friends to appreciate. Thank goodness you refrained from your initial plan to fire off a half-dozen bolts and leveling surrounding buildings.

"I'm sorry if I alarmed you, I'm confused and unsure what the gods want." You admit quietly, "In particular, I don't know what Ares and Athena expect of me." Lady Sandrine smiles nervously, but remains silent. Part of her concern must be, in part, learning that the corruption of her city is due to Athena's loss of influence and that the god's oldest enemies may break free from their subterranean undercity. "I'm not sure, but I believe that Ares wants me to follow in his footsteps and gain power through glory in battle. Clearly, Athena wants to save her city and return her church, I saw true sadness in her eyes when she warned me of her high priestess' corruption." The bluster, and bravado that had come with the sense that you were more powerful than any of the gods is now replaced by doubt. "I can't even be sure if my mother cares about me or if she just wants me to clean up her mess." You let out a deep sigh.

"I'm sure you will find your true path, my Lord." There it is again. The Sandrine that you remember first meeting in the slums of Athenapolis wasn't afraid of anything. Even when she deduced your true identity, Sandrine did not become one of those simpering princesses that Alexia seems to want to match you with. Her eyes drop to her feet so you are unable to read her thoughts.

"I think you're right. I'll attempt to not make enemies of all the gods." Your quip earns a quick glance and **** smile so you continue to try to put her at ease. "I know Hermes likes to hide out with me to complain about the other gods and Hades has show a general acceptance of me every time I've visited him to vent about my problems. He too has been cast off of Olympus by Zeus, and I always thought we got along because of that, but maybe he only welcomed me because I'm one of the few that can handle Cerberus when he gets too energetic." Your casual references to visiting with the very gods she has only just heard about in myth backfires and once again Sandrine falls silent.

You look over at Alexia & Galeon who are discussing something in whispers only catching a bit of the end of the conversation "- saying to believe in him" Galeon says but Alexia seems unsure of something "I want to, but is it possible to have power like that and keep one's sanity. You heard him, Galeon. He was ranting like a madman." So it isn't just Sandrine who you've alarmed. Even Alexia, who knows you as well as anyone doesn't know what to make of you now that you've claimed your birthright. Galeon nods somberly but before he can respond the faint sound of clashing metal claims your attention. Raxius notices your shift in attention and he too cocks his head.

"Is that the sound of combat coming from your camp?" Raxuis asks while giving the signal for his guard to be ready.

"I'm not going to jump to conclusions." You calm your party even as you pick up the pace. "The sound is contained to a small area and the lack of the scent of fresh blood in the air means its likely sparring." You've had enough experience to know the difference between real battles and training or showing off. An excitement fills the air though, and with the tensions caused by your sudden disappearance you don't want to take any chances.

"Since when have you been able to smell blood?" Galeon asks ask he jogs by your side.

"For years now," you answer relieved to be able to talk with Galeon the same as always. "I picked it up as a youth when I spent the time with the wolves. It's useful when you are trying to stay out of trouble behind enemy lines." Raxius shakes his head as he learns of yet another of your abilities. So far, the man twice your age is matching your pace step-by-step, but you have no doubt that if you picked up the pace again you'd leave him gasping for breath. Luckily you are approaching your camp now so speed is no longer an issue.