A surprise visitor at your father's temple

After relaying the plan to Barticus you move swiftly towards Ares' Temple. Even though the streets are empty in these predawn hours you are still surprised to not have any more trouble. Your thoughts are split between the godly call and what Alexia said about dealing with 'delicate matters' of potential allies within the United Armies but your unable to ask your minx of a Spymaster anything further due to her walking beside Lady Sandrine - another brash but elegant young women who has captured your interest since the fateful meeting in the ruined slums of this once great city.

Noticing your agitated state your loyal friend Galeon matches your stride until you are walking side by side. "Bruce, what's the matter my king?" Galeon asks with genuine worry. "You've been acting more reckless than usual." Your general and confident knows too well your tendency to become overly chaotic when something is troubling you. His concern doesn't bother you, in fact you find his honest concern a relief.

"It's just that since arriving here I've been intercepted by the Gods giving me advice on what I should do about both love and this evil that lurks beneath the city. You give a heavy sigh then continue on. "I've had visitations with gods before, mainly Hermes telling me the latest gossip in Olympus or Hades when he requests I play with Cerberus because the dammed dog is acting up, but having both Athena and Ares reach out to me is something I don't know how to deal with. They're the parents who gave me up, yet they claim to love me and be watching my progress with keen interest. I don't know my friend, I feel too many powerful emotions to handle, and all in the midst of a crisis that I'm only now starting to measure the magnitude of." The straightforward giant by your side falls silent as you walk together. No doubt uncertain about how to advise you; your advisor is not accustomed to dealing with divine beings (besides yourself) Galeon appears to be struggling for anything noteworthy to say.

"I can not, Sire," he begins in his simple manner, "help you when it comes to the gods, but as for love, I think that Alexia and you should marry." He pauses to glance back at the other woman in question. "Am I correct in assuming that you've developed a thing for Lady Sandrine?" Before you can interject he continues "You're a king and a god my friend; you make the laws in Kalion. Marry them both. Alexia and Lady Sandrine both seem to like you, and more importantly, each other so that solves your love problem." Galeon's smile fades as he notices your frown.

"I've already tried to propose a potential union with Alexia." You tell him sadly, "but she rebuffed me ,claiming she is too low of birth. She had the audacity to claim I should forget about her by sleeping with the twins then marry a noble Lady of power for an alliance just to stop rumors of me not being sexually competent or in relationship with Barticus & Victor," you say looking at Sandrine & Alexia who are giggling to each other like long lost best friends.

"My lord why don't you tell Alexia why you've had no relationships? I'm sure she would understand you not wanting to produce demi-Gods to unworthy partners that may use them to cause problems." Before you could respond you arrive at the Hall of Ares. The Temple is much smaller than the great Temples of Athena and Apollo that are carved into the base of the rising spire of stone that dominates the city, but it is a beautiful structure none the less and its marble façade glows with a reddish tinge in the first light of day. Unlike the other temples whose gates are sealed and that sit quietly in the still cool morning air, the Temple of Ares is buzzing with activity. Outside the hall, twenty hoplites wearing the distinctive crimson of the god of war stand at attention and around the walls of the building more warriors stand guard. On the steps leading up to the sacrificial hall you are surprised to see Lord Marshal Raxius himself. He is talking to a dozen or so priests as they appear to be waiting for your arrival.

As you climb to meet the waiting men you notice one of the robed priests in particular. He is an elderly man with a gaunt frame who leans unsteadily on a carved walking stick near the rear of the assembled holy men. Although he lacks the elaborate chestplate of the High Priest or the richly embroidered robes of the many of the attendants, the old priest radiates divine power and his eyes are as sharp as an eagle's as he studies you and your party with a hint of a smile on his clean-shaven face.