No problems at all

Even in her flowing robes Alexia has no trouble keeping up with you as you stride purposefully to the Drake roosts, is it possible that she too fears an encounter with Galeon? She waits patiently while you saddle Spooky and when you climb into the saddle, she surprises you by climbing up behind you and bracing her small feet in the harness as naturally as any Rider you've ever given a lift to.

"Oh don't be all surprised, Bruce." She laughs at your stunned expression, "just because I prefer horses doesn't mean I don't know how to ride second when I need to. As your spymaster I've had to get from one place to another swiftly and quietly many times, and the Drakes of Kalion are the best in the world."

Sure enough Alexia easily maintains her footing even during Spook's awkward climb up the recently erected tower above the Drake roosts and once your mighty Drake is in the air, she settles against you leaning over your shoulder as the great beast climbs into the sky. From the air you can see the great city of Athenapolis surrounded on all side by the various city-state armies augmented by companies of mercenaries interspersed to fill in the gaps.

"Look." Alexia's long fingers point to the river below the city gates, where a dozen or so long sleek galleys are pulled up along the sandy bank of the river along with a much larger ramship with its double row of oars, "the Amazons have broken through the River Gate. That is the final piece needed to make sure that Athenapolis is completely isolated." You study the galley below gliding lower to get a better look and attracting the attention of the crew below.

"Are they as fierce as their reputation?" You ask. The island of Accor is about as far away from Kalion as you can get without heading into the jungles of the Southern continent, but you've always wanted to visit. You never met one of the warrior women face-to-face, but you have not forgotten the galleys that appeared like magic to evacuate your men from certain defeat, the queen that saved your men is now dead (or worse), but this may be your chance to repay the debt of honor that you still carry with you like a brand.

"Fiercer, I'd say," her face is so close to your ear that you are tempted to turn and try to kiss her, "if my father's notes are correct." She seems to sense your intention to seek them out because she warns you not to have anything to do with them, "Don't expect to use your charm on that lot, either Bruce; at best you'd be challenged to prove your worth and then have to spend the next week trying to knock up one of those randy bitches, and at worse you'll piss off their young queen and fracture the already weak alliance."

"Some other time maybe ..." left hanging is the question of would it really be so bad to spend a week banging away at one of the daughters of Aphrodite. It is said that your father, Ares, bedded their first queen years ago to found the race of warrior women, if you didn't have this new-found interest in Alexia there would be some poetic beauty if the son of Ares had a go at their new virgin queen.

"There's the camp of Apollopol, on the Western flank, and that little one near the river are the hoplites from Thebes, Bruce." Alexia points out one of the smaller encampments, "I know you think you have evidence of a conspiracy, but please try not to get into a duel with any other of the Lord Marshal's allies."

"Yes, most trusted Advisor." You grin back at her, "Stay clear of the Amazons, don't pick fights with the delegation from Apollopol, be polite when the Lord Marshal speaks, but don't agree to anything until I can talk it over in private with you and Galleon. Anything else?" Alexia wraps her arms around your neck and plants a kiss just under your ear.

"I really do think you're getting wiser and wiser your majesty." By this time, you are circling slowly toward the center of the United Armies' main camp. A tent maybe three times larger than anything you've ever seen before is set up and you figure that must be the Heliopolis command tent where you will find the Lord Marshal.