Ceno uses this opportunity to announce his intentions.

It didn’t take long for the tent to fill with dignitaries from every nation, city-state, and organization affiliated with the United Armies. Everyone wanted to see the young, beautiful, and fiery virgin Queen of Accor. Your fame has spread quickly after your encounter with Prince Iasos, who is unfortunately also present at the dinner. Apparently, Laoda had to pull a few strings to ensure that the King of Thebes didn’t declare all-out war on Accor, one of which was to assure the Thbian delegation that the “duel” between you and Iasos didn’t count, and that their prince was still free to woo you. Laoda was lucky to have left your tent alive after informing you of this, but you smile politely at the arrogant price when he takes your hand in his and kisses it just a little longer than is appropriate,

As the dinner progresses, you are approached by different members of the Merchants Guilds, who you find only slightly less deplorable than the Slavers Guild. It is however the reason for this gathering and with each of the many representatives, once they had presented themselves to you, you are quick to bring up your supply issues. It feels as futile an effort as trying to batter down the river gate itself and one after another these perfumed men brush off your requests with oily flattery that ranges from obsequious to downright condescension.

Each is quick to point out, in as flowery language as possible, that most of the supplies you need were either in short supply or completely gone because what you were asking for were vital components of the siege equipment being used by the other armies. Afterward, they started complaining about how their trading vessels are barred from landing on Accor to trade directly with its lovely inhabitants.

You do your best to explain to the soft, gaudily-dressed men with their oiled hair and perfumed handkerchiefs that your jungle island was a dangerous place and that there were far worse things on Accor than a few territorial Amazons. These merchants wave off your explanations; each and every one of them is quite insistent that their cartels be allowed to set up shop in Accor.

“It is so much more efficient pick up our goods straight from the source, ” explains one of the men, a dark-haired charmer who no doubt expected his good looks and refined manner would impress you. “People pay extra for freshness after all, especially if it’s exotic fruits.” The way his eyes flicker downward to your breasts as he mentions fresh fruits makes you want to plant your fist right into his perfectly sculptured nose.

Perhaps sensing your growing irritation, Ceno steps in, “Oh, come now. Everyone knows that it’s not its succulent fruit that are the real treasures of Accor. There are other far more exotic attractions that have the most value.” You stare at Ceno in surprise; he is hanging from a very thin vine. Even after the fallout from the sale of your fallen sisters after the battle that took your mother, slavers still raid the island in hopes of snatching up its beautiful inhabitants. But if that was what Ceno was referring to, he quickly pivots. “Do you have any idea how much Aphora Oil goes for in Deni? What is the real reason why you want to set up shop on Accor?” He sips casually from a silver goblet and then lift an eyebrow to the flustered merchant. “Is it because of the island’s beautiful women, or are you trying to cut out the ports of Deni?”

The gathered merchants glance at each other, clearly taken aback by Ceno’s blunt accusations as he continues, “It is no secret that the Hellenic world doesn’t think too fondly of us. We are, after all, strangers in your land. Unkempt savages who hail from the far Northern forests, we dress in furs and worship strange gods. However, it is because of these very differences that you should set up your shops in Deni. When we arrived in these lands, we not only brought the cultural artifacts of the frozen Icelands but the lost wisdom of the ancient druids. We've incorporated both these cultures into our own and from this union arise works of art, foods, and jewelry the like of which your city states have never seen. Far more exotic than any Island fruit. As for women, ” he then turned everyone’s attention to the two blondes at your side, “These two lovely Amazon sisters you see before you have in them the blood of the north. Note their fair skin and golden tresses, these maidens may bear the curse of Accor, but their beauty is that of Northern forests, not the raven tresses and sun-kissed copper limbs of the jungles.

“You are eager to sell your fledgling city, young prince.” You forget the merchant's name but the balding man was one of the less offensive merchants and his dark eyes flicker like a great crane staring into a pool of still water.

“Not so much Deni,” Ceno retorted, “but our trade lanes and network of available goods. Once Athenapolis has been pillaged and brought to her knees, I will turn Deni into the new merchant capital of the great inner sea.”

Needless to say, when Ceno makes this bold announcement, the entire room reacts. Some laugh, most gasp, the rest are taken off guard. Even you have to admit you are stunned as well as impressed by how forward Ceno is and how ambitious.

“A bold statement,” said the dark-eyed man nods slowly, “However, I fail to see the benefits of…allowing Deni to become the next Athenapolis.”

“We won’t be the next Athenapolis,” Ceno continues, “The biggest flaw that doomed city,” he glances in the direction of the now ruined walls, “had was that it relied on mercenaries, slavery and bribes. We have something far better than pirates and cutthroats to protect our shipping lanes.” Ceno looks deliberately at you and your Amazon Sisters. “To reach Deni’s ports, one must pass through the waters of Accor.” You are beginning to see why a match between Accor and Deni could benefit both nations, although the fact the the Deni royal family is currently hiding behind their walls makes his argument significantly less strong. Ceno however continues on as if Deni is an unassailable fortress on the sea.

“While the Amazons’ island is off-limits, Your great trading ships can still sail through their waters unmolested, as long as you don’t cause any trouble, that is. With the Amazons protecting our seas, merchants such as yourselves need not worry about pirates, and you need not worry about the Amazons extorting outrageous taxes for safe passage to our city. Unlike the Mercenaries of Athenapolis, the warriors of Ares are far too honorable for that.”

“Now that’s not a very fair assessment, now is it, lad, ” comes a smooth voice from the back of the group, “After all, you can't condemn a man just for doing his job.”

As the room went silent, you noticed all of the color draining from Ceno’s fair skin. For the first time since the night started, the young man is dead silent. The atmosphere of the entire tent had turned decidedly cool, and it doesn't take long for you to determine why. Following the stunned eyes of the crowd, you find yourself looking into the eyes of a tall man with dark hair and an eye patch. His skin was as pale as snow and his a dark greying mustache had flecks of silver in it matching almost perfectly his black leather armor.

“Forgive me for my lack of wonder, your highness, ” he continued with an unsettling yet charming smile, “I suppose I was expecting someone a little older to be negotiating for your little town. Apparently, we did more damage to your people than we thought.”