New factions and attempts at vengeance

You stare into the eyes of the Amazon Queen across the makeshift arena and feel relief that she survived the bloody duel. Judging by the spectator's reaction to her sudden victory the only disappointment you sense is that she gave the bastard an honorable death. Galeon lets you go from his iron grip apparently satisfied that you won't be able to cause any further problems for yourself or Accor.

"I know that you wished to stop that my friend," Galeon's gruff voice is a calming as usual. "But the young queen of Accor needed to not only settle that for herself but also her people," Galeon points to the small contingent of Amazons who have relieved smiles on their proud faces. "If you had been killed by a bastard like that and I had the chance to avenge you, Sire, you can damn well bet that I'd cut the fucker down without a heartbeat of hesitation."

"Yes, but Nassos' death tarnishes Queen Xira's reputation."

"Bullshit." Was Galeon's succinct retort. "If this young queen was a lady like others I might agree, but she's a warrior-queen and more than anything else she needs to send a clear message to her doubters that she is as determined and deadly as any war captain in the United Armies forces." As you study the bloody woman being dragged away by the grim-faced general who, you guess, is as angry with her mistress taking such a reckless chance as she is relieved that it turned out well. You find yourself sympathizing with the young queen, and considering her with more than a little interest. That fierce woman would be worthy of being Queen of Kalion, but as Alexia already explained when the Amazons first arrived, no Amazon would permit herself to be tied to any one man by the chains of marriage. The best you could hope for from her was a one-time fling with the young queen in an attempt to plant your seed in her belly, and your position on leaving a string of bastard demigods in your wake is firm. You turn your attention away from the long legs of the dark-haired Amazon back to Galeon who is still talking. "...cially because some of those fools like Prince Iasos still don't understand just how deadly women can be."

"I thought that disgrace of a man was withdrawing to meditate on his arrogance?" You grunt with distaste at the mention of the Prince. According to Alexia's updated about the weasel, he had indeed withdrawn from the main camp with only a few attendants.

"I'm afraid his idea of reflective meditation includes more food, wine and women then most clerics would recommend." Galeon glances at the company of Amazons departing towards their camp. "Alexia reports that he has a special interest in caramel-skinned slaves with dark hair, and that those poor slaves do not last long once they have been brought to his tent." Galeon looks you in the eye wanting to know if you've heard the same report. "Apparently there is a sizable bounty for any man who can bring him a real Amazon, and an even larger one if that warrior-woman is their young queen. I wouldn't be surprised if that was what Nasso had in mind when he provoked this duel." The report doesn't surprise you, it is just further evidence that calls into question the unity of the United Armies but you do wonder if the Lord Marshal is aware that one of his faction leaders is hoping to take another as a slave.

You are about to ask your general if these reports are widely known when you notice the mercenary company that just lost their leader are planning something. While the majority of the mercenaries march towards the gleeful throng of Amazons apparently hoping to confront the Sisters, a handful of grim-looking thugs are melting away into the crowds. These are the men that you worry about, the others more likely than not are deliberately provoking the Amazons as a distraction. You scan the direction in which the angry veteran had dragged her queen, by now the sisters were out of sight, but you see at least two of the men moving towards the Amazon tents.

"Galeon get the Lord Marshal, and one of the Athenian officers. We should have a unified effort to prevent open hostilities in our camp," you order your friend who agrees quickly because he too can see the complete chaos that could be caused if the mercenaries decide to fight. It could easily shatter the truce as factions on all sides to attempt a coup with the rising tensions. Leaving the public role of mediator to Galeon, you turn your attention to the men slipping towards where Xira was by now probably being stitch up and dressed down at the same time.

As you start to shadow the mercenaries you are joined by none other then the beautiful but always scheming Priestess Laoda of Aphrodite. "So King Kalion, you're not sneaking off hoping to catch a glimpse my queen bathing?" The petite woman teases you with a melodic laugh. "You know she'll be guarded by her Sisters who will kill any man spying on her. I'm not sure if you're that brave or pent-up with frustration because your hot little minx of a Mistress of spies is still playing hard to get." Her verbal jab must have elicited enough of a reaction for the woman because she smiles smugly and continues probing. "Maybe its your growing collection of noblewomen from Athenapolis you've started that has you so amped up, who's that new one that I saw Alexia spiriting away?" You have to admire the way Laoda can tease, tempt and interrogate you all at the same time while still making you enjoy her company. All the same you are not giving her any more information to work with.

"We don't have time for these games Lady Laoda, I'm attempting to prevent your Queen from being harmed by some cutthroats." This earns a knowing smirk from the priestess of the goddess of love.

"Oh, so you do care for my lovely, hot, virgin queen who is in need of a strong virile sire to mount her to breed an heir into her ripe womb." After letting the words sink in like barbs the charming priestess lets you know she is still one step ahead of you. "And don't think I've not noticed your attempt at avoiding telling me about Lady Alexia, her new girl or the delectable dark-haired sisters and your ever-growing erection when I mention them, oh God of the People." You were starting to fall for Laoda's seductive voice, but when called 'God of the People' you snapped out of the lust haze. It is clear that like you this priestess has the ability to communicate directly with her goddess.

"So Aphrodite has found a name for me? Does this mean I'm finally going to be accepted by the pantheon at Olympus?" For the moment you even forget why you are following the four men that have found each other on the walk to the tents.