Yes, but after you've talked to Ceno.

You know that Laoda is well aware of the color flushing your cheeks, but after a quick glance at Ceno you do your best to hide your embarrassment. “My business with Ceno may not be official but it is personal,” you tell her in a hushed voice. Although the Daughters of Aphrodite are the least likely to be in league with the traitor, they are not necessarily completely trustworthy either. As shown by her display earlier, Laoda is very adept at twisting information and using it to her advantage. Also, for followers of the goddess of passion and love, the Daughters of Aphrodite have an unusual knack for showing up just before a war starts.

Still, a Daughter of Aphrodite was a Daughter of Aphrodite, and as your golden cheeks darkened in color you lean in a little closer so that Ceno can’t hear, “But I wouldn’t mind if you showed up later.”

Laoda’s smile grows a little wider, then she answers with the slightest of bows, “Don’t worry your highness. If there is one thing that I am good at, it is coming at the perfect moment.”

You are a little unnerved by what may or may not have been a deliberate double entendre. You can’t tell if this is a promise, a warning, or both. Laoda's face is difficult to read, she has a quirky half-smile and what looks like interest in your reaction. The best you can tell, she is studying you to see what kind of woman you are and what kind of woman you will become. Possibly to see if she can mold you into someone who could benefit her order. Still, despite how uncomfortable her penetrating glances were, you still doubt that she or her sisterhood are in league with the traitor. If anything, her attempts to mold you prove she is interested in your success. The cult of Aphrodite was fond of your mother, in fact, they came up with an unusual trial for higher ranking members to prove their devotion to the goddess of love; the aspiring member was to join the Queen of the Amazons in her bed for a night of passion, fully exposing themselves to the curse of the Amazons. If they weren’t changed then they passed the trial, if they did then the Amazons had a new Sister. From what you have heard about Laoda, not only did she pass this test but she also became one of your mother's regular lovers.

With that, you motioned Ceno to proceed you before turning to Alex and Rafail to assure them that you were speaking with an old friend and that you hadn’t picked Ceno as your mate. Before letting you leave, the two men gave you a low bow and each took turns kissing your hand, Rafail, of course, being the most skilled at it as he kissed his way up your arm, making your heart flutter once more.

Although Ceno wouldn’t stand a chance against you in a trial of combat, these two very well might. Alex looked like he might straight up beat you with his size and skill, again if you didn’t take him another Amazon certainly would. As for Rafail, he looked like he could at least match you blow for blow, and even if he did lose you would probably still take him to bed hoping that your daughter would gain some of his charms - well that, and he was just so damn hot.

Once the two men left to prepare for their part in the siege, you and your group made your way out of the tent. In the large command Pavilion, you guard standing over Prince Iasos still too dazed to rise sprawled at the feet of his entourage.

“What is the meaning of this!?” demands a well-dressed man a dozen years older than his humiliated prince.

“I presume that this is yours,” your guard points contemptuously at the now kneeling prince, “Let it be known that this man has been challenged by an Amazon warrior and has been found unworthy, by the Queen no less. As such he will no longer have the right to court and Amazon or bed an Amazon, and will never receive a challenge from any of our Sisters. All he will receive from the Amazons is a cold empty bed. How cold that bed is will depend on if he continues to offend us.”

Not being able to say it better yourself you sweep by the Thebian contingent and out of the tent, aware that your feud with the arrogant prince is sadly not likely to be over. Why is it that the ones were the most determined to prove their worth are always the stupidest? You are happy to walk away from the crowded tent and back towards the southern walls of the city where the Deni camp is set up not far from the river bank tents of your own troops.