Yes, with great fanfare

Not even Prince Anochises was arrogant enough to climb the steep path to the top of the citadel without a guaranty of safe passage, so there is a pause as a runner is sent ahead to insure the safety of the victorious men. While everyone waits you examine the futile situation with frustration. The officers of the United Armies are a fit looking group of skilled warriors and they are still wearing their armor, if it weren't for the ropes binding their wrists and the lack of weapons they might be able to fight their way through their guards. The Apollonian hoplites are taking no chances, making them sit their noble asses on the paved marketplace to insure that none of them try anything stupid.

The wagons of plunder have come as far as they will, there is no way that oxen could make their way up the winding path to the gates at the top of the citadel, those items would have to be carried one at a time by porters. The columns of naked women chained to the carts are still too far away to get a good look at, but judging by the smiles on many of their faces you suspect that they are indeed women of Athenapolis, and that in spite of their nakedness and collars that many of them believe their nightmare is nearly over. Your fate looks far worse than theirs, from all that you've heard about Prince Anochises and his chilling greeting when you first met, it might be worth considering trying to pull free from your guard as you near the top of the citadel. You have no chance to escape but throwing yourself from the heights might be a far quicker and less painful **** than what you can expect otherwise.

As for Relia, it is clear that she will be used by Anochises along with the three priestesses of the Temple of Helios. As you wait for news from above you see the young nobleman amuse himself with his new toys, squeezing their tits and reaching under the women's short tunics to grope their asses and finger them as they struggle to pull away. The real question will be how long Anochises will be amused by Lady Relia before he turns her over to his men and looks for other prizes to entertain himself with.

During the walk, you are close enough to hear him berate his subordinates for letting the Amazons slip back onto their galleys. Apparently, this power-hungry prince had hoped to add some of the Sisters of Accor to his coffle, and not just any of the deadly women. Prince Anochises had hoped to have the young virgin queen of these daughters of Ares led to his tent in chains.

You remember all to clearly the terms of the High Council's offer of kingship and the deliberate mentioning of the Regent's daughter; unlike Relia and the Priestesses of Helios, that young noblewoman's maidenhead will be this treasonous little fucker's to claim. Once again, you feel angry at the former High Marshal, how could he have so badly misjudged the situation? Even after your warnings! The deposed general is sitting a dozen paces from you and the grim look on his face says that he too is aware of the situation.

It is about then that you notice a small party descending from the heights. This is no sortie of mercenaries; these are grey-haired men are wearing long togas instead of armor and as they get closer you can see they are carrying wreaths of laurel. The emissaries are led to Prince Anochises and bow low before him before placing the crown of leaves upon his head. You are close enough to the group that you can hear them limit the size of the column to ascend to the citadel to forty of the captured officers, each one with a Hoplite by his side to ensure his safe arrival at the summit (so much for your plan for a quick ****). After further debate it is decided that these men might as well serve Athenapolis in their climb and that some of the wagon's contents will be carried by the once proud officers. The remaining prisoners, the vast majority of recaptured plunder and the rows of collared women would be processed here at the base of the tower.

You are given the carved marble bust of an Athenian patrician to carry as your part of the returned wealth, it is a fine sculpture, but the man portrayed is a sour-faced cuss with a heavy-set brow and a weak chin. You have to wonder why anyone would want to own something this ugly as you carry the bust up the path. Around you pairs of men lugging rolled carpets and great bundles wrapped in tarps whose contents you can only guess at. By the time the train of fifty or so men reach the top your arms are aching, and you would gladly drop the marble bust on the hoplite by your side if he weren't so professionally diligent in his attentiveness.

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 and apparently insatiable carnal appetites of their new king.