Both?

The situation is getting out of hand; veteran warriors of Polares about to kill their counterparts from Athenapolis to appease their God's amusement and bloodlust, men that likely have trained together or even fought beside over the past decade or more are now ready to kill each other. You have to defuse the situation before it's too late.

"So, this is what you believe to be best for your followers?" All attention turns to you as you face off against your father. "To kill each other or the people of Athenapolis without strategy or compassion for the innocents who did not choose this war?" The Lord Marshal Raxius with his escort, the priests of Ares and their temple guards stop as much from surprise as anything, but for the moment at least, the trance created by Ares' rhetoric has been broken and the tension drops noticeably. Ares is the first to recover.

"What do gods care for innocents?" He scoffs, then in an attempt to persuade you to his way of thinking he continues. "How many times my son, have you stepped on an anthill as you stride through a field? I know that Zeus took you from me and condemned you to live among these weak mortals until now, but that time is coming to an end." For the first time you begin to see the wisdom of your grandfather's decision to foster you in the court of Kalion, Ares lifts his spear once again and raises his voice so all can hear. "There is nothing greater than the thrill of battle, my son, my followers know well that if you do not learn to fight, then you must accept the fate that befalls you."

"Father, a warrior can only earn glory by fighting an opponent worth killing." You counter, "Why do you goad these brave men into meaningless bloodshed when there is a greater enemy threatening this holy ground, father? You should be urging them to put aside these meaningless squabbles and prepare for the true fight." Your remark of a true enemy that your father is blatantly ignoring gets the attention of one of the three heroes of the last Archimedean war.

"What enemy?" Raxius snorts dismissively, "are you still trying to get me to believe the story of Apolopolis' schemes." He continues his criticism of your decision, and refusal to join his cause. "I've already told you that if you hadn't spirited away the assassin to Kalion, you would have had proof not unjust accusations on our ally who has spilled blood for our cause." You had almost forgotten about the captured archer and what he told you about the threat from Apollonius, but Raxius is not done. "You lurk like a spider in the shadows your Majesty, hoping to influence the outcome of this war without risking anything. I know how you think, Bruce of Kalion, there is no honor to be won in the burning of supply wagons or attacking unarmored men in the middle of the night."

You've heard this criticism before; this lack of respect for your unorthodox tactics combined with your youthfulness kept you from earning you a place among the three heroes in spite of the fact that your cutting of the Persian supply lines was instrumental in forcing their withdrawal. "Now you defend a city full of cowards that sits among the jewels of Hellena like a festering boil needing to be lanced. You claim to hate slavery, your Majesty, but this accursed city has **** women from every land, including Kalion itself. Fight damn it! Join with us and fight like a man."

Out of the corner of your eye you see Alexia place a restraining hand on Galeon's shoulder as he steps towards Raxius. It is just as well, if Galeon attacked Raxius it would cause complete chaos and play right into the hands of Ares' attempt to create a bloodbath on the steps of his temple. You refuse to allow this attack to faze you.

"The Great Raxius of Polares, Hero of the Archimedean war, protector of wrongfully enslaved women?" Your sarcasm matches his as you mock the grey-haired general. "Where were you and your alliance when your Sisters in service to Ares called for your aid on Accor?" You see a flicker of emotion in the Lord Marshal's eyes and wonder if this man regretted allowing Athenian slavers to harass the island. "You allowed the queen of Accor to take on the slavers of Athenapolis on her own; don't talk to me about honor." Your deliberate lack of disrespect causes his face to darken with anger, but the Lord Marshal dares not break the truce, not while he is deep within the enemy city and so many of his war captains are just now waking in tents within your camp.

Of course it is not like you can act with impunity. Even if you survived the attack by Raxius and his elite guard, and you feel confident that you would, how many of your outnumbered party would be injured or killed? The chaos created would be worse than the status quo. Even outnumbered 4 to 1, your forces might be able to fight their way back to Kalion, as the United Armies would be crippled without their leadership. But without the firm hand of the Lord Marshal to keep them in check, the mercenary companies will sweep into the broken city and no amount of money would keep them from **** and plundering the rich villas that line the river and surround the Citadel. Worst of all, the corrupt merchants controlling the High Council of Athenapolis would still be in power and all of this hardship would be for naught.

Your relaxed smile stops Raxius in his tracks, and you take the opportunity to probe a little deeper. "Do you truly believe yourself to be above blame that the Island of Accor was constantly raided? Your city's navy could have tipped the balance in favor of your Amazon Sisters, or did you secretly hope for the Gold Robes to weaken Accor to the point where an occupation by Polares would be welcomed by her population?" The Lord Marshal studies you with a mixture of anger and remorse, perhaps he blames himself for not arguing in favor of sending the might of Polares to defend Accor. He then offers his arm to you in a peace offering.

"Perhaps you're right, King Kalion. I am partially to blame for Accor's decline, and I will be the first to acknowledge that your tactics in the war greatly aided me against the Persian advances." You take his thick forearm in yours and accept his apology, you feel the strength of his fingers on your arm as pulls you closer and lowers his voice to a whisper. "But you are on the wrong side in this conflict, I know it, Ares knows it, and I can only believe that in your heart, you know it too." Perhaps the man is right, but you refuse to see one evil replaced by another.

"I'm sorry for antagonizing you too," your voice is as low as his, "but it was the only way to break my father Ares' influence on you and everyone else here." You release the Lord Marshal's arm and raise your voice again as you look directly into your father's eyes. "I'll aid the United Armies if I can while still protecting the innocents of Athenapolis. If my forces can help end this conflict quickly it will be a blessing for both sides." You see Ares stare at you in anger and disappointment, but perhaps there is respect in those clear eyes too. "Please, my lords, enter this temple with my companions and I, so you may be informed about the true enemy beneath the city that is starting to break free." Raxius nods his agreement earning you an unreadable look from your father after denying him his battle. Did the god of war respect the skill and resolve needed to calm his chaos, or have you angered the man you had always strived to impress?