Not exactly

You are close enough to the group that you can hear some of the polite negotiations. They do not go exactly as Prince Anochises must have hoped. In spite of several attempts to pin down the grey-beards from the Citadel to proclaim him King of Athenapolis, each time, instead of the ironclad guaranty, he is deflected again and again with vague platitudes. Finally, the representatives agree to take him to meet directly with the High Council and new Regent, but not without conditions. Their explanations are couched in diplomatic terms, but you can see that the prince is growing more and more angry as he hears each term.

He must, before anything else, allow the chained women of Athenapolis including the four who had been brought to his tent precede him to the top of the tower where they can be properly dressed and freed of their chains. Furthermore, the size of the column permitted ascend to the top of the Citadel is restricted, and any of the captured officers, must be escorted by an Apollonian Hoplite to ensure his safe arrival at the summit (so much for your plan for a quick ****).

You don't know if you are more relieved or concerned when Prince Anochises includes both you and Relia who looks even more disconcerted than ever. It is impossible to tell if she had been violated like some of the other women taken from the tent, but you fear the worst. All four of the Athenian captives were naked and in tears as they were sent from the tent to rejoin their companions; by your count at least two of them had been **** and judging by the shocked look on these women's faces perhaps all of them had been taken by Anochises and his cronies.

These four, like the other freed captives, are given back what were left of their robes and sent on ahead to sanctuary at the top of the Citadel as part of the first demand in the negotiations. Unlike the rest of their jubilant peers, they make the climb in numb silence. In all, almost forty women walk in single file around the spiraling path that leads to freedom, some wearing little more than the cloaks flapping in the breeze as they climb higher and higher towards the gates.

After further debate it is decided that the captured officers of the United Army might as well serve Athenapolis in their climb. At least some of the wagon's contents will be carried by these once proud officers. The remaining prisoners, the vast majority of recaptured plunder and the remaining coffles of collared women would be processed here at the base of the tower in preparation for their return to their homes. You are given one end of a large, rolled carpet as your share of the load, others are laden with various chests and short cylinders wrapped in tarps whose contents you can only guess at. By the time the train of fifty or so men are lined up at the base of the spire the women freed by Anochises' troops have reached the top.

The shoulder where your end of the carpet rests is aching by the time you reach the top and you wonder how any carpet could weigh this much. You would gladly drop the heavy roll on the hoplite by your side, but almost as if he can sense your mind, he places his hand on the hilt of his thrusting sword. Damn him and his professional diligence.

Thick bronze gates swing open as you approach and you are allowed into the small courtyard at the top of the citadel. It is clear now why the size of the Prince's entourage and prisoners had to be limited because even this reduced number cannot quite fit into the courtyard. Ahead you see the High Council of Athenapolis seated behind a long table and above you cheer the select elite of the city welcoming Prince Anochises as a hero.

You are amused to note that these cheering crowds make no mention of King Anochises and you find yourself wondering how long it will take for the aristocracy of the city, used to ruling itself for so many years, to chafe under the youthful pride of their new king. Lined up in a double row behind the High Council are the forty or so young women freed from the slaver's holding pens. Each of these women is modestly dressed in borrowed robes and some are even wearing jewelry that must also be on loan from acquaintances on this high eyrie.

One other small discrepancy catches your eye, the High Council of Athenapolis usually seats 12 members as well as the Regent. Seated at the great table overlooking the plaza are only eight men, and you can only wonder what has happened to the other five. Prince Anochises doesn't seem to notice that over a third of the council is missing. He strides forward dragging the High Priestess of Helios by the hair pushing her to her knees while one of his men does the same with the Lord Marshal.

"I have brought you some presents, my lords." His voice is regal, you grant the man that, but his actions reveal just how unkingly he is. The prince rips away the remnants of the High Priestess' robes exposing her full breasts for all to see.

"She's a good fuck, my lords." He laughs coarsely, "a little old for me, but one of you might like her chained to your bed at night."