At least a couple hours

The large bed easily sleeps three, and you end up sandwiched between the naked bodies of Lady Sophia and Adriana. Thankfully, the two women seem to understand that you need sleep more than anything and although they press against you, they do not try to get you worked up. It is just as well, you decide as you drift slowly into sleep; you'll have plenty of time for sex in the next couple days and two more pretty acolytes to sample.

One of the traits that make you a successful soldier is that you can wake from a deep sleep to full alertness almost as fast as you can draw your sword. You don't remember hearing the knocking, but by the time Sarge enters the room you are sitting up between your two sleeping companions and ready for his report.

"Something's happening out front, Captain." The older hoplite tells you without any prelude, and just like that you are on your feet and pulling on your armor.

"What's going on?" You grunt as you strap the sword of Athena to your waist and slip your feet into your sandals.

"That's why I came to get you, Sir." Sarge guides you towards the stairs heading up. "Petros says the siege has been broken by the army of Apollopol."

"That doesn't make sense. The phalanxes of Apollo are part of the United Armies." Your sergeant gives you a look that you've seen more often than you care to admit. You got it every time you said something stupid, like telling someone who's served in the army for longer than you've been alive who is on your side of a fight. You keep your mouth shut and follow him the rest of the way up the steps until you reach an observation station that overlooks the central square in front of the Temple of Athena. Petros, as you expected, is sitting at the observation post with a dark-haired Acolyte kneeling at his feet with her head resting on his thigh. He climbs quickly to his feet and pulls his prize away from the small nook to make room for you. From this height you can see clearly what got your scout's attention.

A large tent with the standard of Apollopol flying proudly from its peak has been erected not far from the base of the Citadel. Sitting on their asses not far from where the dignitaries have erected the tent, are almost one-hundred disarmed officers of the United Armies under the careful eyes of twice that many hoplites from the city of Apollo's forces. Three pairs of bullocks are being unhitched from three massive wagons that are being unloaded by more hoplites wearing the red and gold of Apollopol. Coffles of collared women, some naked others wearing only the skimpiest of tunics to reveal their beauty, are also being unchained from the wagons.

From your position high above the square, at first it is impossible to tell if these half-naked women were taken from the officers United Armies or if these are local women captured in the early engagements in Athenapolis being returned home. As you watch, the situation becomes a little clearer. You see the women given cloaks to cover themselves and allowed to wander among the bound officers of the United Armies mocking them as the men sit glumly under the watchful eyes of the Spearmen from Apollopol.

"No Riders above either, Captain." Petros directs your attention to the empty skies above. "That's the first clue I got that something was fucked up." The scout punctuates the thought with wad of phlegm that he spits out the small window down onto the square below. "Looks like we ain't gonna just walk outa here rich as kings after all, Captain, huh?" He ruffles the dark curls on the pale-faced acolyte beside him, "I was getting kinda attached to this pretty little fuck too."

"We'll be OK, my friend." You reassure the man, "We won't get to keep it all, but I bet we can load up some of these pretty little prizes with the best of the plunder and make a break for it once it gets dark." It's hard to read the expression of the pretty acolyte by your man's side when she hears that she might very well end up as Petros' little pet for a long time. You can't help but wonder if she and her novice sisters were free to walk among you like the captured women below in the square, would they be mocking and teasing you? "Good job, soldier. I'll send someone up to relieve you early. You can pluck another one of the remaining virgins downstairs if you like, you've earned it and it's not like there's going to an auction to sell them at anyways.

With a final look at the disaster below, you head down the stairs suddenly in the mood to fuck the other two of your waiting prizes. Word of the unexpected collapse of the United Armies' siege has spread like spring floodwater and you see some of the captive acolytes exchanging hopeful glances. Your squad too, is looking to you for leadership and you need to come up with a plan to keep everyone calm.