It's Prince Anochises who greets you

The Lord High Marshal's tent looks much the same as it had this afternoon with two main differences. The first is that nearly all of the officers waiting in the lavish tent wear the sigil of Apollo on their cloaks and perhaps more importantly Lord Raxius, the former High Marshal, is kneeling in front of the great table and three chained women wearing the remnants of ceremonial robes the Temple of Helios are standing behind a golden-haired young man wearing a crown on his head and the royal emblem of Apollo emblazoned on his chest plate.

"So, you are the Rider that tried to cast doubts about my intentions." Prince Anochises greets you as you are dragged into the tent and pushed to your knees by the Lord High Marshal's side whose left eye is badly swollen, "and the Lady Relia," Prince Anochises motions for the hoplites to bring her around the table to his side where he strokes her cheek with a cruel smirk on his face. "You, my dear, are going to join my escort of tasty treats. I promise you'll receive the attention you deserve as soon as these pressing matters are attended to."

It is only then that you recognize the High Priestess of Helios flanked by what you can only assume are two of her higher-ranking assistants. You had seen the cleric dozens of times before but always in the ornate ceremonial robes of her office, now wearing only a shift even more revealing than Relia's you realize that she is still an attractive woman even though she must be twice Relia's age and the mother of three children.

"Is everything ready?" Prince Anochises turns his attention back to the assembled men.

"Yes Lord Marshal." One of the senior officers promptly salutes. "The other Alliance forces have begun their withdrawal. Even the Kalion buggers have agreed to mind their own fucking business for now, and by the time they realize what's happened it will be too late. As you ordered, all of the officers in the Heliopolis corps have been relieved of their commands and they are now assembled in chains for you to lead up to the Citadel as part of your triumphal procession."

"And the wagons of plunder you spoke of?" Before his aide can respond he rubs his hands together "and the captured prizes?"

"Yes, your Majesty," A second officer steps forward eagerly. "Those too have been prepared."

"Excellent! Send the criers into the city to announce the end of the siege." Prince Anochises almost giggles in excitement as he points at you and Relia. "Bring these two in the vanguard with us. I want them to see the futility of their efforts to stop me from assuming my god-given position."

And just like that, the officers begin to move about like ants whose hill has been kicked. Within minutes the procession leaves the command tent and proceeds towards the shattered gates of Athenapolis. Following behind the dignitaries at the front of the column march almost one-hundred officers of the United Armies under the careful eyes of twice that many hoplites from the city of Apollo's forces. At the rear of the procession, three wagons loaded with plundered loot are drawn by pairs of bullocks and followed by rows of naked captives.

Coffles of beautiful women collared and chained to the last of the wagon; from your position in the front of the winding column it is impossible to tell if these naked women were all from the United Armies camp, or if at least some of them were the recently captured women of Athenapolis being returned home to their city with a brand-new status.

The citizens of Athenapolis are stunned to see the processional moving up the broad central boulevard towards the towering Citadel. Overhead you notice the skies are free of drakes, the patrols that dominated the air above since the early days of the siege are nowhere to be seen. For you as a Rider, this more than anything else, drives home the extent of the turn of fortunes for the stunned people of the city and by the time you reach the temple district of Athenapolis the marching forces are met with roaring accolades and unmitigated praise for Prince Anochises.

The mighty column marches past the sealed temples and into the open marketplace where the commerce of the city is normally conducted. It is in this great arena that the High Priestess of Helios had vowed to sell each and every woman in Athenapolis. Clearly, her plans had been abruptly disrupted by the treachery of the proud prince of Apollopol, as likely as not it will be her and her acolytes that will be standing naked on that very block.

Before you rises the white tower of Athenapolis' Citadel, the stronghold of the Titans even before the city rose at its roots. The narrow ascent spirals around the column five times before it reaches the gates at the top, and once again you wonder how the United Armies had ever hoped to take this stronghold. Not that it matters much now.