Agree to send Mara

In spite of a hint of misgivings, you agree to let Mara deal with Alexia. Over the past two days, your spymistress has been acting a little off and you are even less sure about how to deal with her than ever. Perhaps though, part of your decision has to do with the presence of Sara by your side. Unlike Alexia, Sara doesn't find fault with your plans or remind you of your duties and responsibilities.

"Are you good at everything you do, Sire?" The young noblewoman's green eyes blink slowly as she gazes up at you. "I mean, it seems like you're the best at everything you try."

"Apparently, I'm a little lacking in my understanding of young women like you." You joke sourly, still confused by Alexia's odd behavior. Sara, it seems, shares your sense of humor because she giggles and clutches your arm a little tighter. The warm swell of her breast is now molded around your upper arm and her other hand rests on your chest as she almost loses her balance from the bout of giggles.

"Maybe I could help you with that, Sire." As you were just explaining, you don't have a lot of experience with young women, but even you know that Sara is flirting with you shamelessly. You pull away a little, careful not to let Sara think she has to do this. After meeting Lord Darius, you know what these sisters must be expecting would happen to them when they were presented to you, but you want to be sure that you don't take advantage of the situation.

"We should go see the wrestling ..." You start to pull away from Sara's grip, but she doesn't seem excited by the prospect.

"Ough, do we have to?" You are a little surprised by Sara's ****, until this moment, she and Mara have acquiesced to pretty much everything that you and Alexia have suggested. "Maybe we could go somewhere to talk. I'm still a little bewildered about all the strange customs you have in Kalion." You can understand this sheltered noblewoman from Athenapolis' confusion, it was quite a shock for you when you first left the high mountain valley and experienced the way of life in the older city states of the Hellenic realm. You can still remember the anger you felt when you first saw coffles of barely dressed slaves marched from holding pens to the great auction houses.

"What customs in particular?" You allow Sara to guide you away from where the bulk of the games are set up towards the Kalion encampment. You walk together in pleasant silence as Sara seems to be trying to

"It is still hard to believe that the men of Kalion don't own slavegirls to serve their needs." You laugh gently at this naïve young woman's wide-eyed openness. "All the men of Athenapolis have at least two or three favorite slavegirls captured from other cities to warm their beds and sate their carnal lust." Before you can reassure Sara that women of Kalion are never **** to serve men that way, she continues knowingly. "Mara says that's why the United Armies and their mercenary forces are so eager to break through our walls, so they can take the young women of Athenapolis and defile our innocent bodies."

Sadly, there is some truth in Mara's assessment of the situation. In part it is undoubtably a reflection of the propaganda spread by the Regent and his High Council, but the presence of the slaver's guild in the United Armies war camp is an undeniable and ugly fact.

"That's what we are hoping to avoid. The men of my camp are not here to **** and plunder." You realize that your voice has become stern, and you deliberately lighten your tone, so Sara does not fear for the fate of her friends still waiting behind the crumbling walls. "Men of Kalion don't seem to have much trouble finding willing partners." By now, you are approaching the center of camp where your pavilion and Alexia's and the sister's small tent has been newly erected.

"I can see that, Your Majesty." Sara captures your other hand in hers and pulls you to a stop. "I'd let you do whatever you wanted, Sire." Her voice tremulous and low, but there is no mistaking what this beautiful young woman is offering.