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The King did not mirror the easy posture of the Lord who joined him. Indeed it was rare for Achilleas to appear truly relaxed when in public view. He was usually very careful with himself, and whilst perhaps affected an air of nonchalance if it seemed appropriate it was consciously done. Now was no different. He was still as he listened to Lord Fotios speak of their Athenian neighbours, being sure to keep his expression as neutral as he could, even when talk turned briefly to Stephanos, and that controversial decision that had caused so much discord between he and his father in the last weeks of the man’s life.
Even so, there was a slight tightening of his jaw, and Achilleas’ lifted his brows briefly in acknowledgement of Fotios’ beg pardon. Sympathetic seemed hardly the right word for the reservations he had in relation to the charge of treason and subsequent guilty verdict that had been laid upon his cousin. Indeed, Achilleas had many questions that he wanted answers to, but the King had made the decision that he would have to put that matter aside for now, to deal with the more pressing matter of war marching upon them. He would not set aside that choice now to discuss it with the man before him.
But news out of Athenia was sobering, and Achilleas frowned, because he did not like to think of them being without Athenia’s forces if things were to descend into full scale war with the Egyptians. It leant even more significance to the success of their upcoming mission.
“General Lacides” he answered, without hesitation, when the Leventi Lord queried who it was he had written to. “He is known to me and I to him, whereas I have not had the pleasure of making the acquaintance of the royal family. Though ,if it as you speak, I do not know who I should have written to anyway. Certainly, if you have a suggestion or a contact their yourself then I will write again. Though I hope they resolve their own issues in time to offer their ships.”
For if Achilleas should fail, then there was every likelihood the war would be fought as much on the water as it was upon land, and Taengea stood most vulnerable, for it was her shores that any Egyptian fleet would reach first.
He and Emilios had discussed the possibility of such an eventuality, considered where men would need to be stationed, and Achilleas had tried not to think about the circumstances that would lead to the plan having to be actioned. His own mortality became irrelevant, it was just the outcome of his mission, success or failure. One had to detach oneself from a situation to look at it objectively.
“Colchis will break their journey here” he recounted. “If our initial efforts are unsuccessful then we shall look to send another wave with the Colchians, and call upon those in Judea. You know the Commander Alexios well enough, do you not?”
Achilleas had met with the man soon after the Egyptian embassy had visited, and had then entreated his father to bolster the ranks of those Taengeans stationed in Judea even when the threat from Egypt had been little more than his own feelings of discontent. Only time would tell how critical those men and their Commander would become in this endeavour.
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Jan 28, 2020 17:23:26 GMT
Posted In Heading South on Jan 28, 2020 17:23:26 GMT
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The King did not mirror the easy posture of the Lord who joined him. Indeed it was rare for Achilleas to appear truly relaxed when in public view. He was usually very careful with himself, and whilst perhaps affected an air of nonchalance if it seemed appropriate it was consciously done. Now was no different. He was still as he listened to Lord Fotios speak of their Athenian neighbours, being sure to keep his expression as neutral as he could, even when talk turned briefly to Stephanos, and that controversial decision that had caused so much discord between he and his father in the last weeks of the man’s life.
Even so, there was a slight tightening of his jaw, and Achilleas’ lifted his brows briefly in acknowledgement of Fotios’ beg pardon. Sympathetic seemed hardly the right word for the reservations he had in relation to the charge of treason and subsequent guilty verdict that had been laid upon his cousin. Indeed, Achilleas had many questions that he wanted answers to, but the King had made the decision that he would have to put that matter aside for now, to deal with the more pressing matter of war marching upon them. He would not set aside that choice now to discuss it with the man before him.
But news out of Athenia was sobering, and Achilleas frowned, because he did not like to think of them being without Athenia’s forces if things were to descend into full scale war with the Egyptians. It leant even more significance to the success of their upcoming mission.
“General Lacides” he answered, without hesitation, when the Leventi Lord queried who it was he had written to. “He is known to me and I to him, whereas I have not had the pleasure of making the acquaintance of the royal family. Though ,if it as you speak, I do not know who I should have written to anyway. Certainly, if you have a suggestion or a contact their yourself then I will write again. Though I hope they resolve their own issues in time to offer their ships.”
For if Achilleas should fail, then there was every likelihood the war would be fought as much on the water as it was upon land, and Taengea stood most vulnerable, for it was her shores that any Egyptian fleet would reach first.
He and Emilios had discussed the possibility of such an eventuality, considered where men would need to be stationed, and Achilleas had tried not to think about the circumstances that would lead to the plan having to be actioned. His own mortality became irrelevant, it was just the outcome of his mission, success or failure. One had to detach oneself from a situation to look at it objectively.
“Colchis will break their journey here” he recounted. “If our initial efforts are unsuccessful then we shall look to send another wave with the Colchians, and call upon those in Judea. You know the Commander Alexios well enough, do you not?”
Achilleas had met with the man soon after the Egyptian embassy had visited, and had then entreated his father to bolster the ranks of those Taengeans stationed in Judea even when the threat from Egypt had been little more than his own feelings of discontent. Only time would tell how critical those men and their Commander would become in this endeavour.
The King did not mirror the easy posture of the Lord who joined him. Indeed it was rare for Achilleas to appear truly relaxed when in public view. He was usually very careful with himself, and whilst perhaps affected an air of nonchalance if it seemed appropriate it was consciously done. Now was no different. He was still as he listened to Lord Fotios speak of their Athenian neighbours, being sure to keep his expression as neutral as he could, even when talk turned briefly to Stephanos, and that controversial decision that had caused so much discord between he and his father in the last weeks of the man’s life.
Even so, there was a slight tightening of his jaw, and Achilleas’ lifted his brows briefly in acknowledgement of Fotios’ beg pardon. Sympathetic seemed hardly the right word for the reservations he had in relation to the charge of treason and subsequent guilty verdict that had been laid upon his cousin. Indeed, Achilleas had many questions that he wanted answers to, but the King had made the decision that he would have to put that matter aside for now, to deal with the more pressing matter of war marching upon them. He would not set aside that choice now to discuss it with the man before him.
But news out of Athenia was sobering, and Achilleas frowned, because he did not like to think of them being without Athenia’s forces if things were to descend into full scale war with the Egyptians. It leant even more significance to the success of their upcoming mission.
“General Lacides” he answered, without hesitation, when the Leventi Lord queried who it was he had written to. “He is known to me and I to him, whereas I have not had the pleasure of making the acquaintance of the royal family. Though ,if it as you speak, I do not know who I should have written to anyway. Certainly, if you have a suggestion or a contact their yourself then I will write again. Though I hope they resolve their own issues in time to offer their ships.”
For if Achilleas should fail, then there was every likelihood the war would be fought as much on the water as it was upon land, and Taengea stood most vulnerable, for it was her shores that any Egyptian fleet would reach first.
He and Emilios had discussed the possibility of such an eventuality, considered where men would need to be stationed, and Achilleas had tried not to think about the circumstances that would lead to the plan having to be actioned. His own mortality became irrelevant, it was just the outcome of his mission, success or failure. One had to detach oneself from a situation to look at it objectively.
“Colchis will break their journey here” he recounted. “If our initial efforts are unsuccessful then we shall look to send another wave with the Colchians, and call upon those in Judea. You know the Commander Alexios well enough, do you not?”
Achilleas had met with the man soon after the Egyptian embassy had visited, and had then entreated his father to bolster the ranks of those Taengeans stationed in Judea even when the threat from Egypt had been little more than his own feelings of discontent. Only time would tell how critical those men and their Commander would become in this endeavour.
One of Fotios' greatest skills - as well as being a silver-tongued wordsmith whenever he needed to be - was his ability to listen. In fact, it was probably his greatest asset. A man could have all the skill with words that he liked but if he knew not to whom he was speaking and how they were thinking, he could not be able to choose the most effective language from their plethora of knowledge. Fotios was not so singularly talented. His ability stretched to listening as well as to speaking. A man who could hear the hesitations in sentences and witness the small tweaks and changes of features upon an expression to read beneath the surface of social decorum.
On top of this, he was good at appearing to listen. Those with whom he shared a discourse were often lulled into talking more than they might normally by the way in which Fotios gave them a solid and committed ear. His expression was focused but occasionally glanced away at something so as not to become an awkward stare. His head would be set to an angle of consideration and his body language was so often open and accepting to those he was deep in discussion with. Often, Fotios had no need to offer ideas, solutions or pointed plans that would lend to his own schemes. It took only the careful placement of a specifically worded question to have his dialogue partner come to the appropriate conclusion in their own right.
Strength and power had been the routes of which Irakles liked to follow; to force those who disagreed down a path of your choosing based on your own might, wealth and authority. Despite holding all three of those facets, Fotios' name remained cleaner and his reputation smoother by ensuring that he never forced anyone to do anything, unless the opportunity was perfect for the chance of a blackmail noose they had set around their own neck.
"I have connections with a Lord Panos of Marikas and with the leader of the Stravos family Lord Keikelius." Fotios offered, again his words honest and his opinion open and without hidden agenda. "I know that Lord Keikelius in particular has a vast naval fleet under his command that he uses primarily for trade but has been known to use them for escorting troops. Would you like details to write to him yourself, Your Majesty or would you prefer me to attempt to use my familiarity to Taengea's advantage whilst you are abroad?" Fotios' eyes glanced towards the soldiers on the sands as they prepared the ships for departure in a few days' time.
Even if Achilleas sent another letter to Athenia that day it would be unlikely for him to receive a reply before he had left for Egypt, delaying the letter still further.
When the conversation moved on to Judea, Fotios nodded there also.
"Commander Alexios is of my one of the Leventi provinces and was backed by myself and my wife in his rise to Commander status. A promising military leader, or so reports from his superiors stated yet common born. You'll find him useful in battle, Your Majesty, if he feels he has something to prove..."
Watching the king as Fotios drank from his cup and repositioned himself in his chair so that he braced his feet once more on the sandy ground of the coastland, he simply waited for the new monarch's decision on who needed to be contacted over the approaching war and when and by whom.
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Jan 29, 2020 17:56:39 GMT
Posted In Heading South on Jan 29, 2020 17:56:39 GMT
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One of Fotios' greatest skills - as well as being a silver-tongued wordsmith whenever he needed to be - was his ability to listen. In fact, it was probably his greatest asset. A man could have all the skill with words that he liked but if he knew not to whom he was speaking and how they were thinking, he could not be able to choose the most effective language from their plethora of knowledge. Fotios was not so singularly talented. His ability stretched to listening as well as to speaking. A man who could hear the hesitations in sentences and witness the small tweaks and changes of features upon an expression to read beneath the surface of social decorum.
On top of this, he was good at appearing to listen. Those with whom he shared a discourse were often lulled into talking more than they might normally by the way in which Fotios gave them a solid and committed ear. His expression was focused but occasionally glanced away at something so as not to become an awkward stare. His head would be set to an angle of consideration and his body language was so often open and accepting to those he was deep in discussion with. Often, Fotios had no need to offer ideas, solutions or pointed plans that would lend to his own schemes. It took only the careful placement of a specifically worded question to have his dialogue partner come to the appropriate conclusion in their own right.
Strength and power had been the routes of which Irakles liked to follow; to force those who disagreed down a path of your choosing based on your own might, wealth and authority. Despite holding all three of those facets, Fotios' name remained cleaner and his reputation smoother by ensuring that he never forced anyone to do anything, unless the opportunity was perfect for the chance of a blackmail noose they had set around their own neck.
"I have connections with a Lord Panos of Marikas and with the leader of the Stravos family Lord Keikelius." Fotios offered, again his words honest and his opinion open and without hidden agenda. "I know that Lord Keikelius in particular has a vast naval fleet under his command that he uses primarily for trade but has been known to use them for escorting troops. Would you like details to write to him yourself, Your Majesty or would you prefer me to attempt to use my familiarity to Taengea's advantage whilst you are abroad?" Fotios' eyes glanced towards the soldiers on the sands as they prepared the ships for departure in a few days' time.
Even if Achilleas sent another letter to Athenia that day it would be unlikely for him to receive a reply before he had left for Egypt, delaying the letter still further.
When the conversation moved on to Judea, Fotios nodded there also.
"Commander Alexios is of my one of the Leventi provinces and was backed by myself and my wife in his rise to Commander status. A promising military leader, or so reports from his superiors stated yet common born. You'll find him useful in battle, Your Majesty, if he feels he has something to prove..."
Watching the king as Fotios drank from his cup and repositioned himself in his chair so that he braced his feet once more on the sandy ground of the coastland, he simply waited for the new monarch's decision on who needed to be contacted over the approaching war and when and by whom.
One of Fotios' greatest skills - as well as being a silver-tongued wordsmith whenever he needed to be - was his ability to listen. In fact, it was probably his greatest asset. A man could have all the skill with words that he liked but if he knew not to whom he was speaking and how they were thinking, he could not be able to choose the most effective language from their plethora of knowledge. Fotios was not so singularly talented. His ability stretched to listening as well as to speaking. A man who could hear the hesitations in sentences and witness the small tweaks and changes of features upon an expression to read beneath the surface of social decorum.
On top of this, he was good at appearing to listen. Those with whom he shared a discourse were often lulled into talking more than they might normally by the way in which Fotios gave them a solid and committed ear. His expression was focused but occasionally glanced away at something so as not to become an awkward stare. His head would be set to an angle of consideration and his body language was so often open and accepting to those he was deep in discussion with. Often, Fotios had no need to offer ideas, solutions or pointed plans that would lend to his own schemes. It took only the careful placement of a specifically worded question to have his dialogue partner come to the appropriate conclusion in their own right.
Strength and power had been the routes of which Irakles liked to follow; to force those who disagreed down a path of your choosing based on your own might, wealth and authority. Despite holding all three of those facets, Fotios' name remained cleaner and his reputation smoother by ensuring that he never forced anyone to do anything, unless the opportunity was perfect for the chance of a blackmail noose they had set around their own neck.
"I have connections with a Lord Panos of Marikas and with the leader of the Stravos family Lord Keikelius." Fotios offered, again his words honest and his opinion open and without hidden agenda. "I know that Lord Keikelius in particular has a vast naval fleet under his command that he uses primarily for trade but has been known to use them for escorting troops. Would you like details to write to him yourself, Your Majesty or would you prefer me to attempt to use my familiarity to Taengea's advantage whilst you are abroad?" Fotios' eyes glanced towards the soldiers on the sands as they prepared the ships for departure in a few days' time.
Even if Achilleas sent another letter to Athenia that day it would be unlikely for him to receive a reply before he had left for Egypt, delaying the letter still further.
When the conversation moved on to Judea, Fotios nodded there also.
"Commander Alexios is of my one of the Leventi provinces and was backed by myself and my wife in his rise to Commander status. A promising military leader, or so reports from his superiors stated yet common born. You'll find him useful in battle, Your Majesty, if he feels he has something to prove..."
Watching the king as Fotios drank from his cup and repositioned himself in his chair so that he braced his feet once more on the sandy ground of the coastland, he simply waited for the new monarch's decision on who needed to be contacted over the approaching war and when and by whom.
The names that the Leventi Lord rolled out were vaguely familiar to Achilleas, but not in a way that lent faces to them, and certainly not that sparked any personal connection. He frowned a moment as he considered what would mean more; a missive from a King, albeit one who they had not met, or a note from an existing acquaintance.
“I will have one of the scribes adjust and send a copy of the letter I already sent to yourself, my Lord. It will bear the royal seal, and then perhaps you might dispatch it onwards along with a letter of your own writing? We will need Athenia, and from what you say it seems the more notice we can give them the better. I’ll have the papers with you tomorrow.”
He added it to the long list of tasks he needed to do, or at least see done, already sizable. But it had been important for him to come here and see with his own eyes the progress that was being made to prepare for their imminent departure. He knew that Krysto and the other Captains were more than capable, but Achilleas had never been one to keep himself remote from the soldiers who served him, and Taengea.
Ever since joining the order at sixteen, he had come to appreciate how bonds of kinship could be formed when men were put to work at the humblest of tasks together, and it was a lesson the Mikaelidas Lord had taken to heart. He was not afraid to get his hands dirty when it came to it, and the soldiers he fought alongside had come to appreciate that their leader would not ask them to do anything that he would not do himself if it came down to it.
Of course, as he had ascended the ranks, there was a measured approach to how and when he spent his time, and he was more distanced from those recruits at the lowest levels. And now as King, there was a shift once more. He had not ignored Lord Fotios’ earlier words. The change of title should mean nothing. Krysto had said similar things, but he found it hard to believe them entirely. It meant something, the crown atop his head, there was a difference between standing beside the throne and sitting it upon yourself. It was slightly uncomfortable, Achilleas was finding.
Easier then to speak on things he knew, and he gave a short nod at the Leventi lord’s response pertaining to the Commander he had met the weeks before. “He struck me as a man of no small ambition. And had some interesting things to speak of when it came to our Egyptian foe. Indeed, he is a credit to your belief in him. I will be glad to have him and his men with us, should the need arise.”
The Master of War had already sent word to the units stationed in Judea to alert them of the Taengean plans, another layer of preparation for what was a hastily assembled campaign. But if nothing else, coming out to the coast today had put the new King’s mind to rest that all that was needing to be done was in fact happening. He would sleep a little easier now. Perhaps.
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The names that the Leventi Lord rolled out were vaguely familiar to Achilleas, but not in a way that lent faces to them, and certainly not that sparked any personal connection. He frowned a moment as he considered what would mean more; a missive from a King, albeit one who they had not met, or a note from an existing acquaintance.
“I will have one of the scribes adjust and send a copy of the letter I already sent to yourself, my Lord. It will bear the royal seal, and then perhaps you might dispatch it onwards along with a letter of your own writing? We will need Athenia, and from what you say it seems the more notice we can give them the better. I’ll have the papers with you tomorrow.”
He added it to the long list of tasks he needed to do, or at least see done, already sizable. But it had been important for him to come here and see with his own eyes the progress that was being made to prepare for their imminent departure. He knew that Krysto and the other Captains were more than capable, but Achilleas had never been one to keep himself remote from the soldiers who served him, and Taengea.
Ever since joining the order at sixteen, he had come to appreciate how bonds of kinship could be formed when men were put to work at the humblest of tasks together, and it was a lesson the Mikaelidas Lord had taken to heart. He was not afraid to get his hands dirty when it came to it, and the soldiers he fought alongside had come to appreciate that their leader would not ask them to do anything that he would not do himself if it came down to it.
Of course, as he had ascended the ranks, there was a measured approach to how and when he spent his time, and he was more distanced from those recruits at the lowest levels. And now as King, there was a shift once more. He had not ignored Lord Fotios’ earlier words. The change of title should mean nothing. Krysto had said similar things, but he found it hard to believe them entirely. It meant something, the crown atop his head, there was a difference between standing beside the throne and sitting it upon yourself. It was slightly uncomfortable, Achilleas was finding.
Easier then to speak on things he knew, and he gave a short nod at the Leventi lord’s response pertaining to the Commander he had met the weeks before. “He struck me as a man of no small ambition. And had some interesting things to speak of when it came to our Egyptian foe. Indeed, he is a credit to your belief in him. I will be glad to have him and his men with us, should the need arise.”
The Master of War had already sent word to the units stationed in Judea to alert them of the Taengean plans, another layer of preparation for what was a hastily assembled campaign. But if nothing else, coming out to the coast today had put the new King’s mind to rest that all that was needing to be done was in fact happening. He would sleep a little easier now. Perhaps.
The names that the Leventi Lord rolled out were vaguely familiar to Achilleas, but not in a way that lent faces to them, and certainly not that sparked any personal connection. He frowned a moment as he considered what would mean more; a missive from a King, albeit one who they had not met, or a note from an existing acquaintance.
“I will have one of the scribes adjust and send a copy of the letter I already sent to yourself, my Lord. It will bear the royal seal, and then perhaps you might dispatch it onwards along with a letter of your own writing? We will need Athenia, and from what you say it seems the more notice we can give them the better. I’ll have the papers with you tomorrow.”
He added it to the long list of tasks he needed to do, or at least see done, already sizable. But it had been important for him to come here and see with his own eyes the progress that was being made to prepare for their imminent departure. He knew that Krysto and the other Captains were more than capable, but Achilleas had never been one to keep himself remote from the soldiers who served him, and Taengea.
Ever since joining the order at sixteen, he had come to appreciate how bonds of kinship could be formed when men were put to work at the humblest of tasks together, and it was a lesson the Mikaelidas Lord had taken to heart. He was not afraid to get his hands dirty when it came to it, and the soldiers he fought alongside had come to appreciate that their leader would not ask them to do anything that he would not do himself if it came down to it.
Of course, as he had ascended the ranks, there was a measured approach to how and when he spent his time, and he was more distanced from those recruits at the lowest levels. And now as King, there was a shift once more. He had not ignored Lord Fotios’ earlier words. The change of title should mean nothing. Krysto had said similar things, but he found it hard to believe them entirely. It meant something, the crown atop his head, there was a difference between standing beside the throne and sitting it upon yourself. It was slightly uncomfortable, Achilleas was finding.
Easier then to speak on things he knew, and he gave a short nod at the Leventi lord’s response pertaining to the Commander he had met the weeks before. “He struck me as a man of no small ambition. And had some interesting things to speak of when it came to our Egyptian foe. Indeed, he is a credit to your belief in him. I will be glad to have him and his men with us, should the need arise.”
The Master of War had already sent word to the units stationed in Judea to alert them of the Taengean plans, another layer of preparation for what was a hastily assembled campaign. But if nothing else, coming out to the coast today had put the new King’s mind to rest that all that was needing to be done was in fact happening. He would sleep a little easier now. Perhaps.
Fotios nodded in acceptance of the King's instructions. He did not voice his approval, nor pepper the man with admiring flattery over his means of finding the best solution between the two options of communicating with Athenia. But his silent acceptance spoke a lot for a man of words and calculating thought. His approval was therefore obvious in the quiet manner in which he lifted his cup and sipped from its rim.
Turning his lips inwards for a moment and then setting the cup aside on a tray provided by an eager slave, anticipating his actions with a forward step, Fotios rested hands on the arms of the chair he had been provided there and in the sands and after pausing to show a mark of acceptance should Achilleas not yet wish him to rise from his seat, pushed himself to standing.
"I am pleased with such a report upon one I have supported." He stated, in reference to Alexios. "And shall await a messenger with your letter tomorrow, Your Majesty. In the meantime, however, I have militants in my provinces that have yet to be brought to the capital for its defenses and ships due to arrive from Lord Gavriil's lands with timber for such hands to work with. With your permission, I shall see to such matters now so that they are underway before you take your leave of Taengea."
And at the permission of the king, Fotios bowed with a casual hand upon his heart and left to King to his own thoughts and considerations...
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Fotios nodded in acceptance of the King's instructions. He did not voice his approval, nor pepper the man with admiring flattery over his means of finding the best solution between the two options of communicating with Athenia. But his silent acceptance spoke a lot for a man of words and calculating thought. His approval was therefore obvious in the quiet manner in which he lifted his cup and sipped from its rim.
Turning his lips inwards for a moment and then setting the cup aside on a tray provided by an eager slave, anticipating his actions with a forward step, Fotios rested hands on the arms of the chair he had been provided there and in the sands and after pausing to show a mark of acceptance should Achilleas not yet wish him to rise from his seat, pushed himself to standing.
"I am pleased with such a report upon one I have supported." He stated, in reference to Alexios. "And shall await a messenger with your letter tomorrow, Your Majesty. In the meantime, however, I have militants in my provinces that have yet to be brought to the capital for its defenses and ships due to arrive from Lord Gavriil's lands with timber for such hands to work with. With your permission, I shall see to such matters now so that they are underway before you take your leave of Taengea."
And at the permission of the king, Fotios bowed with a casual hand upon his heart and left to King to his own thoughts and considerations...
Fotios nodded in acceptance of the King's instructions. He did not voice his approval, nor pepper the man with admiring flattery over his means of finding the best solution between the two options of communicating with Athenia. But his silent acceptance spoke a lot for a man of words and calculating thought. His approval was therefore obvious in the quiet manner in which he lifted his cup and sipped from its rim.
Turning his lips inwards for a moment and then setting the cup aside on a tray provided by an eager slave, anticipating his actions with a forward step, Fotios rested hands on the arms of the chair he had been provided there and in the sands and after pausing to show a mark of acceptance should Achilleas not yet wish him to rise from his seat, pushed himself to standing.
"I am pleased with such a report upon one I have supported." He stated, in reference to Alexios. "And shall await a messenger with your letter tomorrow, Your Majesty. In the meantime, however, I have militants in my provinces that have yet to be brought to the capital for its defenses and ships due to arrive from Lord Gavriil's lands with timber for such hands to work with. With your permission, I shall see to such matters now so that they are underway before you take your leave of Taengea."
And at the permission of the king, Fotios bowed with a casual hand upon his heart and left to King to his own thoughts and considerations...