With a lavish feast

It takes the caravan over four hours recover from the attack and make it through the hills and down to the plains that surround Athenapolis, and during that time the Master guildsman got the chance to see Aristedes in action. Aristedes saw the caravan master watching him with intent interest as he used his small troop to organize the caravan's guards and get the wagons moving. You expected Vasili to toss you a purse of gold or perhaps one of the many amphorae of wine in the wagons, but instead you and your men are invited to feast in the guild's main camp.

"It is the least I can do for you and your men, young man." Vasili explains, "trust me when I tell you that the food and entertainment will be far better in my tent than the gruel you'll get at your camp."

Word of your success has already reached the United Armies camp, and as you arrive leading the column of wagons into the camp, there are cheers and toasts offered to the gods in your name. This kind of acclaim was new to you, and you are a little embarrassed when Vasili insists that you ride with him in the lead wagon so all everyone could get a good look at the new young hero of the siege. From this height, you get a good look at the massive **** pens being erected in the slavers compound. Only one of the six pens is occupied and the one-hundred or so captured women who sit within the fencing barely filled a quarter of the enclosure.

"We'll fill these all, lad." Vasili licked his thin lips in anticipation when he sees your look of wonder at the scale of the operation, "and all the guild halls in the city too, once the rest of the city is taken." The wagon traveled close enough to the holding pens that you could see the tear-streaked faces of the scantily clad captives staring numbly at the wagon as it rolled past. "This is the biggest haul the guild has managed in over fifty years, even with the depressed prices that this glut of the market will have, our chests are going to be overflowing."

"I'd certainly want to bid on some of those." You nod at a handful of women watching the caravan's arrival.

"Oh no, my boy," Vasili laughs easily, "these are just the chaff. Storekeepers' and tradesmen's daughters and wives - and not even the pretty ones. The man who saved the life of Vasili Heratidus should set his ambitions much higher than common broodmares like those raw captives." The slaver slaps you on your back and smiles knowingly. "If you stick with me, my young friend, you will have your pick of the finest fruits of this rich city. In this city are women from every city-state in the Hellenic league, and other exotic prizes from distant lands. Slaves that have been captured by raiders and trained in the best guildhalls in the land. I hear the golden-haired sluts from Kalion are particularly tasty treats once you break them of their stubborn pride." Vasili seems to sense the sudden tightening of your jaw because he shifts easily along this new path. "Although, man like you might prefer to break in and train his own prize, maybe the untouched daughter of a wealthy family ... or even an acolyte from one of the city's many fine temples."

You ride in silence the rest of the way to where Vasili's tents are being erected. Swirling erotic thoughts naked beauties lined up before you fill your mind, row after row of young women waiting for your you to determine their fate.

"Come Aristedes," Vasili takes you by the arm and leads you into a tent that feels as big as your entire barracks. We must get you bathed and into clothes befitting a hero that you now are."