Just as it ends

You and Alexia enter the arena just as Galeon pins a gargantuan man with sweat dripping from his shaven head to the thick mat that is laid out on the ground. The two of you spot the twins and walk over to join them aware that many eyes are taking in your entrance with keen interest and a fair amount of speculation. Ignoring the looks, you turn to the young ladies from Athenapolis who have been submitted into your care. Did they really think that you'd summon them to your tent, after your conversation with Alexia you can't help but wonder if they'd really let you claim them without a hint of protest. Not that it matters anymore, you suspect Alexia will keep you busy for a good many nights.

"Lady Mara, Lady Sara what is the result in this event?" They are smiling brightly as you arrive, and Mara moves to your side pressing her lush body against yours and Alexia nods knowingly as she watches the young woman greeting.

"It is a win for Kalion, with Galeon outmaneuvering that brute from Poleares!" Sara reports the results from a few paces away not quite as forward as her sister.

"Third place went to Belliosi in a victory over Cirosi angering many at what they call savages winning an event over the truly civilized people." Sara has not taken long to ally herself with you and your friends.

"The Belliosi wrestler might not have met with much approval from most of the others," Mara voice is pitched low enough that it feels like you are the only two people around and she hugs you softly one more time before she puts a more respectable gap between the two of you. "But at least the representatives of Polisares show respect at the man's skill." It does not surprise you; unlike most of the men representing the United Armies or for that matter Athenapolis, the warriors of Ares care more for the martial skills of a man than his place of birth or social standing.

You watch as Galeon closes the event with surprising acumen. The former slave takes the time to slip a tunic over his broad back concealing the tell-tale scars of multiple whipping from his earlier life before accepting the laurel of olive leaves from the Polares wrestler he defeated. It is hard not to appreciate the honor of both men and the tent erupts in applause. As soon as the crowd settles down, Galeon directs attention away from his achievement, announcing the next two events.

"People of the Hellena, thank-you for your recognition. I'm proud to have put on a good show, but now its time for the next events." He glances in your direction and you nod for him to continue. "If you follow me to the track by the river you can get the best views of the start and finish of the horseraces." You look at Alexia encouraging her to enter these races as her size, and horse-riding skills would give her the advantage to take at least third, knowing it will be hard to beat your brothers who will likely take the two top wins as their people were once nomadic horsemen before establishing small city's a few years ago mostly used for trade.

Despite you general's best efforts, fewer than three dozen of the spectators even bother to follow the newly dressed Galeon as he heads for the starting gate. Much as you suspected, the horse racing is treated almost like a joke by most of the attendees, however the horsemen from your Oath-brother's cities clearly value this more than any other prize, certainly more than the wrestling.