No, word has gotten out

As you make your way towards the city you try to figure out if there was some other way you could have handled Pitris and her offer to service you later that night. Maybe you should have just let her thank you the way she wanted. Maybe what you need is to get laid. Has the time come after all these years is to just get it over with and start fucking women like everyone else. Why the hell did you walk out of Alexia's tent this morning? And what about Mara and Sara, and their wistful glances when they think you aren't paying attention? These thoughts and others chase each other like swallows hunting mosquitoes in your brain as your long legs eat up the leagues between you and Athenapolis.

You make it to the High Tower gate to the city where the once-great bronze doors have been torn from their massive hinges. Damage like that could have only come from one of the great war machines of Helios. About ten paces from the open gates you are stopped by a War Captain of Thracian origin "Halt, stranger. No one's allowed entry by order of the Lord Marshal of the United Armies." Still driven by an unnatural rage, you are about to draw your bow to take out the six bowmen on top of the battered walls, and kill the ten hoplites on the ground, but luckily these Thracians are saved by the sudden arrival of a messenger. The runner believes that he is whispering quietly into the Thracian war captain's ear but like your vision, your hearing has always been as sharp as a fox's.

"Captain, we received a message from the Riders about this warrior. He took out a group of bandits, and then killed ten of our mercenaries that he caught robbing a merchant caravan. We don't want to risk breaking the cease-fire." The Thracian Captain gives a laugh. "So who cares if I kill this piece of crap, Stephon, as long as that so called Bastard-King of Kalion doesn't find out, we do what we please." The man's attitude does nothing to calm the fire tearing you apart and you glare into the Thracian's eyes.

"Your people could well be slaves now if it wasn't for me," no longer trying to hide the fire in your eyes or the imperial tone in your voice. "And so you know before you die in ignorance, you miserable excuse of an officer, I am the 'so called' King of Kalion. Now, stand down or die."

"We should allow him to pass, Sir." The messenger makes no attempt to keep his voice down this time, so not only the Captain, but all his men can hear. "Lord Marshal Raxius agreed to let him in to the city. If we kill their King, our commanders will likely be slaughtered in the Kalion camp." The Thracian reluctantly backs off allowing you entry to the city knowing he can't do much with the leadership of the United Armies still in the Kalion camp.

You continue walking through the dark empty streets of the city occasionally spot a few warriors watching, but they drop their gaze as soon as you look their way. Away from the shadow of the walls, but still in the outer ring of the city, you notice you're being followed. Not sensing any hostility from your stalker, you allow them to tail you until you find the right spot to spring your trap. When you are ready, you duck into an alley and wait for them to hurry past so you can find out who it is. Your stalker is careful, and you have to wait longer than you expected before finally the slight figure steps in front of the alley.

As soon as you feel the slight soft figure in your arms you realize that this is a woman in your grasp.