You need to talk to Alexia

This tension between you and your spymaster has gone on long enough. You turn to the right as a roar of excitement rumbles up from the wrestling ring in the fields below and you wonder idly if Galeon is doing as well in his matches as you anticipate. You have not forgotten that you sent Mara and Sara to talk to Alexia before you understood that they were part of the problem. That oversight could be a pretty big mistake. As you approach the heavy canvas of Alexia's tent you listen for signs of trouble.

You can hear the girls chattering quietly with Alexia who seems glad to have them to talk to. Deciding that they are not likely to leave anytime soon, you are about to enter the tent when you are stopped in your tracks by an unexpected turn in the conversation.

"Alexia?" It sounds like Mara, but it is hard to tell through the waxed canvass of the tent, "Is King Kalion going to summon us to his bed tonight?" You almost give away your eavesdropping with the gasp that escapes your lips; you should have listened more carefully to Aphrodite. Mara at least seems to want you as much as the goddess suggested. Luckily Sara with her softer voice chimes in, her soft voice masking your gasp.

"Oh yes, is he?" The image of one or even both of the dark-haired beauties standing before your bed wearing nothing but a shear **** tunics is certainly tempting. Did Aphrodite know that these two were hoping to be summoned like that? It is a disturbing thought, but luckily Alexia's giggle brings you to your senses.

"Not much chance of that, My Ladies." Alexia's answer is more confident than you might have been, and her belief in you bolsters your confidence. Your spymaster knows you better than anyone except perhaps Galeon, as pleasant as it might be to lie with these lovely young women, you have too much respect for them to take advantage of them.

"Aren't we pretty enough for him?" Says one as the other asks, clearly not aware of how desirable the twins really are. "Is it because we've too inexperienced?" There is more clamoring as the two sisters let their fears and frustrations out one after the other. "We can learn quickly if he teaches us." You smile a little at that one, you're hardly the expert lover these girls are expecting. "I thought men wanted virgins to claim." "How can we make him want us?" "Is it because he's in love with someone else?" ending with a startling accusation "It's because he's in love with you!" That clearly isn't right! Is it? Before you have a chance to explore your feelings for your red-headed spymaster, she interrupts the pair stopping their almost manic outpouring.

"Whoa, whoa, slow down girls." Alexia answers with more patience in her tone than she uses with you. "You two are both beautiful, but His Majesty has very strong opinions about females being bought, sold, traded or used by men for their own ends."

"But we're not slaves," Sara protests indignantly, "My sister and I are noblewomen, and King Kalion wouldn't be forcing us, well at least he wouldn't be forcing me." Hearing such a brazen statement from someone as shy and sweet as Sara makes you wonder if she is as innocent as she seems.