Somewhat

"Ok, the story of you being a god is intriguing, but why would the gods not aid us directly." At least Sandrine doesn't dismiss your explanation out of hand and it surprises you a little how much this young woman's opinion matters to you. "This is Athena's city. We are her chosen people, why has she has abandoned us?" You can't help wonder how many of Athenapolis' citizens have asked this very question. "For that matter, Apollo who cares about justice must he remain silent as well?" You smile at her naivety of thinking either side is justified in this war of greed based off of **** which could have been avoided if they listened to reason instead of thinking of a profit.

"My lady, please know that my mother has not abandoned you; she was cut off by the very Temple set up to serve her." You pass on the explanation given to you on mount Olympus. "Athena's connection with the high-priestess was severed nearly 20 years ago when her priestess became corrupted. As for Apollo and the other gods," you pause because of the delicate nature of what you want to say, "perhaps their sense of justice is offended by the unsavory way that your Riders have raided their cities for pretty young women just like you to enslave as toys for Athenapolis' elite."

Sandrine stares at you angrily from under her hood, until gradually her fire turns to shame as she remembers how her city has become the known for the number and quality of female slaves. Many of them young women of birth, just like hers, taken and trained for the pleasure of men were valued all the more because of their noble blood. It was well known that for a big enough purse, a man could request a daughter of a noble family from some other city to add to his harem, these pretty young virgins would learn quickly what a man would want from their innocent flesh. You try to be as gentle as possible as you remind Sandrine of her city's reputation.

"Your Regent, and his council of money-hungry merchants have abandoned the laws of the Olympus in exchange for the gold in their vaults and the lusts of their loins." You see anger flash again in the girl's eyes as you point out how far this once great city has fallen.

"You don't know anything about the Regent!" Sandrine raises her voice sharply. "He has done everything he could to avoid this war."

"Has he?" You ask quietly. You do not want to get into a fight with this spitfire, especially not in the center of a dark city, but you are not going to excuse the leader of the city who has allowed the Slavers Guild to grow in power or who allowed his Riders to fly the skies more in search of female flesh to abduct rather than protect the people of their own city.

"If the regent of this city wanted to avoid this war he could have ordered the return of Amara before her virginity was auctioned off to the highest bidder." You see Sandrine cross her arms angrily at your words, but instead of arguing she asks a question.

"So you are saying that the gods have abandoned us?" She asks softly. "That this city has fallen so deep into corruption, that our Goddess can no longer protect us? Then we are doomed."

"No, my lady, the gods of Olympus have not forgotten you." You shake your head slowly hoping that this woman can see you in the darkness of the alley. "I have been sent her because there is something older, and a greater evil that threatens this city than the Unted Armies. If it were just the lack of faith you could survive if your people worked together, but my mother Athena has told me that it is far more than that." She looks at you again as your speaking blasphemy, but you have an odd feeling your words are true. "OK, Sire," She challenges you even if she doesn't like what you're telling her. "If you speak truly, why are you here then. If the gods don't have the power to save this city, how can you?" You give a sad chuckle, but you sense her growing irritation and try to answer her query.

"I don't have the power now, but at my father's temple I hope to receive the birthright that's calling to me." You take her hand in your and squeeze it gently. "If you like, I'll take you to the temple of Ares so we can both have our answers." You look around in the darkness as you lead her back towards the main boulevard you had been following towards the temple district when you encountered Sandrine. "I'm expecting a friend or two to try to calm me so we will wait here for their arrival." She gives a **** nod lost in thought about your blasphemes claims, and doubt a single friend being able to find you in a war zone.