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Nethis is generally a patient woman, she can weeks and even months before making a major move – sometimes years. Although, the wait to discover who was inside that ship was a little close to excruciating, because the anticipation was building and building like the magma building in a volcano. It was a royal ship that crash or was brought down on Nethisa’s beach, a Thanasi province. All Nethis and her family can do is look the part of a supportive as well as a concerned Royal House, otherwise they will be burned by the rumors and the suspicious that has held them by their necks. Although, Nethis refuses to burn and she refuses to allow her family to lose everything they have gained – especially over something that was not their doing. If it was up to Nethis this wouldn’t have been the way she would have killed someone of grand importance, because it left too much room for discovery and further investigation. Whoever done it, if it was anyone at all wanted someone to find their work, otherwise it was sloppy and quite noticeable – given the Baron and the Royals found on the beach. If Colchis knows whats good for them, Poseidon should be the one to blame for such a loss – the Kotas will want blood. Sadly, the Thanasi House sits at the very top of their list as guilty.
The elder sister stood near Evras, whom she has always been protective over and will do anything for her happiness. Nethis is actually very proud of the woman the young Evras has become, including the family she has created – she has secured her life among their enemies and that is something Nethis treasures. Evras is her way in, whether she knows it or not, such a union needs to continue and Nethis will make sure that it does. Any problem that rises between her and Zanon, she would like to know about it, because the union between Kotas and Thanasi is the very thing that is keeping their lot alive. Financially and literally. This very moment, on the beach of Nethisa, stands the probability of a Royal’s death, either the father of Evras’s husband or his eldest brother. Either way, Evras will have a role to play.
Nethis stood next to her sister as she spoke softly, “Remain strong little sister, the worse is yet to come. Things are soon to change, and you must be ready to ride the tide.” The Lady said as the wind blew against her raven-colored hair as she continued, “I do not see Zanon any longer, he must have descended into the ship… May the gods keep him.” Nethis said in a comforting tone, only for Evras’s sake, because it was up to her, she would wish destruction for all Kotas – sadly, such destruction would hurt her own sister and she wouldn’t willingly do so. “Whatever happens, be the support your husband needs – though we will need to see of you soon, what happened here is an issue for us all.”
The Lady turned to Thea, “What do you make of it? I see a political as well as a personal nightmare.”
This character is currently a work in progress.
Check out their information page here.
This character is currently a work in progress.
Check out their information page here.
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Nethis is generally a patient woman, she can weeks and even months before making a major move – sometimes years. Although, the wait to discover who was inside that ship was a little close to excruciating, because the anticipation was building and building like the magma building in a volcano. It was a royal ship that crash or was brought down on Nethisa’s beach, a Thanasi province. All Nethis and her family can do is look the part of a supportive as well as a concerned Royal House, otherwise they will be burned by the rumors and the suspicious that has held them by their necks. Although, Nethis refuses to burn and she refuses to allow her family to lose everything they have gained – especially over something that was not their doing. If it was up to Nethis this wouldn’t have been the way she would have killed someone of grand importance, because it left too much room for discovery and further investigation. Whoever done it, if it was anyone at all wanted someone to find their work, otherwise it was sloppy and quite noticeable – given the Baron and the Royals found on the beach. If Colchis knows whats good for them, Poseidon should be the one to blame for such a loss – the Kotas will want blood. Sadly, the Thanasi House sits at the very top of their list as guilty.
The elder sister stood near Evras, whom she has always been protective over and will do anything for her happiness. Nethis is actually very proud of the woman the young Evras has become, including the family she has created – she has secured her life among their enemies and that is something Nethis treasures. Evras is her way in, whether she knows it or not, such a union needs to continue and Nethis will make sure that it does. Any problem that rises between her and Zanon, she would like to know about it, because the union between Kotas and Thanasi is the very thing that is keeping their lot alive. Financially and literally. This very moment, on the beach of Nethisa, stands the probability of a Royal’s death, either the father of Evras’s husband or his eldest brother. Either way, Evras will have a role to play.
Nethis stood next to her sister as she spoke softly, “Remain strong little sister, the worse is yet to come. Things are soon to change, and you must be ready to ride the tide.” The Lady said as the wind blew against her raven-colored hair as she continued, “I do not see Zanon any longer, he must have descended into the ship… May the gods keep him.” Nethis said in a comforting tone, only for Evras’s sake, because it was up to her, she would wish destruction for all Kotas – sadly, such destruction would hurt her own sister and she wouldn’t willingly do so. “Whatever happens, be the support your husband needs – though we will need to see of you soon, what happened here is an issue for us all.”
The Lady turned to Thea, “What do you make of it? I see a political as well as a personal nightmare.”
Nethis is generally a patient woman, she can weeks and even months before making a major move – sometimes years. Although, the wait to discover who was inside that ship was a little close to excruciating, because the anticipation was building and building like the magma building in a volcano. It was a royal ship that crash or was brought down on Nethisa’s beach, a Thanasi province. All Nethis and her family can do is look the part of a supportive as well as a concerned Royal House, otherwise they will be burned by the rumors and the suspicious that has held them by their necks. Although, Nethis refuses to burn and she refuses to allow her family to lose everything they have gained – especially over something that was not their doing. If it was up to Nethis this wouldn’t have been the way she would have killed someone of grand importance, because it left too much room for discovery and further investigation. Whoever done it, if it was anyone at all wanted someone to find their work, otherwise it was sloppy and quite noticeable – given the Baron and the Royals found on the beach. If Colchis knows whats good for them, Poseidon should be the one to blame for such a loss – the Kotas will want blood. Sadly, the Thanasi House sits at the very top of their list as guilty.
The elder sister stood near Evras, whom she has always been protective over and will do anything for her happiness. Nethis is actually very proud of the woman the young Evras has become, including the family she has created – she has secured her life among their enemies and that is something Nethis treasures. Evras is her way in, whether she knows it or not, such a union needs to continue and Nethis will make sure that it does. Any problem that rises between her and Zanon, she would like to know about it, because the union between Kotas and Thanasi is the very thing that is keeping their lot alive. Financially and literally. This very moment, on the beach of Nethisa, stands the probability of a Royal’s death, either the father of Evras’s husband or his eldest brother. Either way, Evras will have a role to play.
Nethis stood next to her sister as she spoke softly, “Remain strong little sister, the worse is yet to come. Things are soon to change, and you must be ready to ride the tide.” The Lady said as the wind blew against her raven-colored hair as she continued, “I do not see Zanon any longer, he must have descended into the ship… May the gods keep him.” Nethis said in a comforting tone, only for Evras’s sake, because it was up to her, she would wish destruction for all Kotas – sadly, such destruction would hurt her own sister and she wouldn’t willingly do so. “Whatever happens, be the support your husband needs – though we will need to see of you soon, what happened here is an issue for us all.”
The Lady turned to Thea, “What do you make of it? I see a political as well as a personal nightmare.”
Every part of Timaeus was alight with fear and with pain as he stood at the ropes, hauling the ship out of the water as if he was nothing more than a common laborer. Never in all of his twenty-four years did he ever think he would find himself in such a position, red-faced and screaming in agony as the ropes and chains chaffed his palms and pushed his arms to the very limits of their strength. This kind of work was supposed to be beneath him, reserved for those who didn’t have the fortune of being born into a family like his or had earned their way out of doing such things through their own merit in battle. Every rule of society told him that he shouldn’t be here on the lines like this.
But the rules of society did not apply in the situation that was unfolding here on the beaches.
Although Timaeus couldn’t see it, as he was so focused on his own pain and the task before him, his rallying cry worked as men from all walks of life found a place at the ropes. Soldiers, merchants, princes, noblemen. Everyone who was physically capable of the task found their place. If the young baron glanced behind him, he might have been able to see the straining faces of his close friend Maleos and the soldier who came to Roxana’s aid a few short months ago. Further back he might have seen his own brother, spurred forward by his brother’s cry even though he was meant to be safely tucked away in their living quarters. There were boys who were barely old enough to call themselves men there working right along with men so old their knees threatened to give way with a single misstep. They were all different, but they were all Colchian united in one common goal; reveal what happened out on the open seas.
What Timaeus did know was that close to him was the one person who had the most to lose this day; Prince Zanon. After having worked so closely, and lived in total fear of the man for over a month now, Timaeus recognized him by the noises the royal made as he struggled alongside the baron. His eyes flashed up in concern towards the older man, knowing full well the chaos and torment that the leader must have been facing. After all, Timaeus knew all too well what it was like to lose both a father and an elder brother. The anguish that surely was plaguing Zanon was not an unfamiliar one and the man wanted nothing more than to reach out to his counterpart, to reassure him that everyone would be okay even as the dark reality crashed upon him. In a weird sort of way, Timaeus wanted to protect Zanon from the horror that would await him once the ship was free from its watery grave.
But they had a job to do.
Timaeus said nothing more, at least coherently, as the men worked to get the ship up onto the beach. It was easy to lose himself in the task and momentarily forget everything, but the stinging pain in his palms and ache in his muscles. He didn’t want to address the grief that was already creeping upon him, having known both men that could be dead on the ship. A few minutes felt like an eternity, but soon enough, the waterlogged hull of the ship had breached the surface and it was deemed safe enough to enter the hold and discover the truth.
Once a cry to drop the ropes had rung out, Timaeus collapsed onto the sand, struggling to breathe as his spent muscles finally rested. He was only down for a few moments, recovering from the task that sapped every ounce of strength from him, but soon enough he was able to shakily climb to his feet. The scene unfolding around him was chaos as men frantically moved about, racing to secure the ship and climb aboard. Shrill cries of worry from the women left behind in the crowd pierced his ears, but Timaeus was able to ignore it all once he caught sight of the most heartbreaking sight of all. Prince Zanon on his knees, looking up at the ship that carried either his dead father or brother.
Knowing the man’s pain, Timaeus desperately wanted to approach him. Someone needed to give him the support that he would need in this trying time, but the Baron also knew that the man needed to be alone with is grief. This was a trying time and swarming him may only worsen the pain of this grim discovery. Zanon would seek help when he was ready for it.
So, Timaeus kept his distance and kept others from coming too close as well. For the few agonizing minutes that followed the first man entering the ship to when the prince was called aboard, the Baron redirected anyone that came in Zanon’s direction. It was an easy thing to do as well, using his clout as a military leader and a baron to have those surround them listen. The man may not even have noticed as the Valaoritis used whispers instead of shouts. However, there would not be solitude for the man on the crowded beach for long. Soon enough, men called for Zanon.
Timaeus added his own voice to the mix as he finally stepped forward towards the man. “Your Highness!” He called out, ready and willing to offer to go in Zanon’s place to spare him the sight of whatever was on the ship. He knew how the mere image of Nicomedes slumped over haunted him still all these years later, Tim couldn’t let himself stand idly by as the prince faced the horror that he had. The Valaoritis lord’s voice was lost in the din though and he was forced to helplessly watch as the Prince climbed the ship to meet whatever fate the Gods had decided for his family.
Once Zanon had disappeared down into the hold, Timaeus moved over to where the rope ladder was, so that he could offer his support the moment that the Prince landed once more on solid ground. As he waited nervously for any sign of the Kotas man, he could see some of the laborers haul an over-eager boy off of the ship, tossed over their shoulders easily as if he was nothing more than a sack of grain. As he was carried off the ship, a glimmer of recognition was seen in the Baron’s eyes as he caught sight of the boy’s face. He motioned for the servant to bring the lad to him who was promptly placed onto the sand as the Baron scolded the Eliades boy before him.
“Have you no respect, child?” Timaeus angrily said, furious that the boy had dared to treat this great tragedy as a playground. The boy, whose name Timaeus did not even pretend to know given how his memory struggled with such things, hung his head in shame before he opened his mouth to protest. This was swiftly cut off by the Baron though with a sharp, “Your king may be dead and you decided to play on his grave.” His words were low so that the fear of what all the nobility realized would not ripple through the crowd, but it only added to the coldness of his words. They clearly hit their mark as the child who was known to be defiant and wild, as both twins were, promptly closed his mouth and turned white as a sheet as the gravity of his actions hit him. Not eager to chastise the child further, as it was not his place to do so, Timaeus motioned to the servant from earlier and said quickly, “Find his mother. Let her know the shame her son has brought upon himself.” With a nod, the man hurried off with the child in tow, hopefully being the last that Timaeus would see of them.
Turning his attention back to the ship, it wasn’t long before Zanon reemerged from the hold and climbed down the rope ladder. Timaeus’s eyes remained locked on the man, searching desperately for any sign of what happened on board. The man did not need to guess though as Zanon quickly summoned him forward, pulling his family’s baron to the side, away from others so that he might reveal the soul-crushing news.
“The King is dead. My brother’s coronation must happen as soon as he lands from Taengea.”
Timaeus could feel the news hit him like the hard jab of a fist as Zanon revealed the reality of what was on the ship. “No. It can’t--” Timaeus stuttered back immediately, unwilling to believe that the worst case scenario had actually come to pass. For a moment, the man could believe that this had been a folly, given how his comrade lacked any sort of feeling other than the sense of looming responsibility that hung over them both. However, it was the glimmer of gold from the crown in Zanon’s crown that told the Baron that this was not some cruel dream, it was their new reality.
King Tython was dead. Prince Vangelis was not to take up his father’s rule and… the man before him was not the crown prince.
Timaeus bowed his head in respect as he tried to hide his own tidal wave of grief that was rising within him at the news. His chest felt tight and his throat seemed to close as tears threatened to well in his eyes. Although the Baron had not been close with the dead king, the man had served as a role model in his life as well, with their families being so closely linked. That and the whole of Colchis knew Tython only as an excellent and fair ruler with hardly any scandal to his name. He was well beloved by his people, highly respected for his skills in battle, and just like that he was gone.
The whole of Colchis would mourn the loss of a man like Tython.
“You have my family’s full support in this try-trying time, Your Highness.” Timaeus eventually choked out, trying to suppress his reaction to such news. ‘We will do whatever you need of us.” It was a statement that did not need to be uttered, given the long-standing history of unwavering loyalty between the Valaoritis and Kotas households, but it was the one way that the Baron could say that they would personally be there for him in the days that would follow. Both in a political and emotional stance.
“I will summon messengers. They’ll ride through the night to deliver the news to all the noble houses and reach the capital before us, to start preparations.” Timaeus reaffirmed, mentally scrambling to think of what would be needed for such an event that he had never seen before in his lifetime. “Shall I also send for men from my unit to supplement your guard and protect your family? Tell me what you need and I’ll see to it.” His voice was solemn as he ran over what might be needed for such a task. There was so much that had to be done and so little time to do it.
There were so many things he could ask, he could say... But there was only one thing on Timaeus’s mind as he glanced up at his friend, his eyes pleading for Zanon to tell the truth, something that Timaeus had unknowingly denied him on that fateful night so long ago, “Zanon,” He started with his voice dropping to a whisper so they both knew that whatever they said was between them, “Whatever you need, I will be there for you. You are not alone.” Timaeus’s voice cracked a bit as he said the few words he wished that he had heard that night when his brother, his rock, had died. “I promise you.” Whatever Zanon needed, Timaeus would give him.
After all, he knew the man’s pain all too well.
But there was one thing he couldn’t do for Zanon. “You need to tell them,” He said quietly while glancing at the crowd behind them. “They need to know what happened here.”
This character is currently a work in progress.
Check out their information page here.
This character is currently a work in progress.
Check out their information page here.
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Every part of Timaeus was alight with fear and with pain as he stood at the ropes, hauling the ship out of the water as if he was nothing more than a common laborer. Never in all of his twenty-four years did he ever think he would find himself in such a position, red-faced and screaming in agony as the ropes and chains chaffed his palms and pushed his arms to the very limits of their strength. This kind of work was supposed to be beneath him, reserved for those who didn’t have the fortune of being born into a family like his or had earned their way out of doing such things through their own merit in battle. Every rule of society told him that he shouldn’t be here on the lines like this.
But the rules of society did not apply in the situation that was unfolding here on the beaches.
Although Timaeus couldn’t see it, as he was so focused on his own pain and the task before him, his rallying cry worked as men from all walks of life found a place at the ropes. Soldiers, merchants, princes, noblemen. Everyone who was physically capable of the task found their place. If the young baron glanced behind him, he might have been able to see the straining faces of his close friend Maleos and the soldier who came to Roxana’s aid a few short months ago. Further back he might have seen his own brother, spurred forward by his brother’s cry even though he was meant to be safely tucked away in their living quarters. There were boys who were barely old enough to call themselves men there working right along with men so old their knees threatened to give way with a single misstep. They were all different, but they were all Colchian united in one common goal; reveal what happened out on the open seas.
What Timaeus did know was that close to him was the one person who had the most to lose this day; Prince Zanon. After having worked so closely, and lived in total fear of the man for over a month now, Timaeus recognized him by the noises the royal made as he struggled alongside the baron. His eyes flashed up in concern towards the older man, knowing full well the chaos and torment that the leader must have been facing. After all, Timaeus knew all too well what it was like to lose both a father and an elder brother. The anguish that surely was plaguing Zanon was not an unfamiliar one and the man wanted nothing more than to reach out to his counterpart, to reassure him that everyone would be okay even as the dark reality crashed upon him. In a weird sort of way, Timaeus wanted to protect Zanon from the horror that would await him once the ship was free from its watery grave.
But they had a job to do.
Timaeus said nothing more, at least coherently, as the men worked to get the ship up onto the beach. It was easy to lose himself in the task and momentarily forget everything, but the stinging pain in his palms and ache in his muscles. He didn’t want to address the grief that was already creeping upon him, having known both men that could be dead on the ship. A few minutes felt like an eternity, but soon enough, the waterlogged hull of the ship had breached the surface and it was deemed safe enough to enter the hold and discover the truth.
Once a cry to drop the ropes had rung out, Timaeus collapsed onto the sand, struggling to breathe as his spent muscles finally rested. He was only down for a few moments, recovering from the task that sapped every ounce of strength from him, but soon enough he was able to shakily climb to his feet. The scene unfolding around him was chaos as men frantically moved about, racing to secure the ship and climb aboard. Shrill cries of worry from the women left behind in the crowd pierced his ears, but Timaeus was able to ignore it all once he caught sight of the most heartbreaking sight of all. Prince Zanon on his knees, looking up at the ship that carried either his dead father or brother.
Knowing the man’s pain, Timaeus desperately wanted to approach him. Someone needed to give him the support that he would need in this trying time, but the Baron also knew that the man needed to be alone with is grief. This was a trying time and swarming him may only worsen the pain of this grim discovery. Zanon would seek help when he was ready for it.
So, Timaeus kept his distance and kept others from coming too close as well. For the few agonizing minutes that followed the first man entering the ship to when the prince was called aboard, the Baron redirected anyone that came in Zanon’s direction. It was an easy thing to do as well, using his clout as a military leader and a baron to have those surround them listen. The man may not even have noticed as the Valaoritis used whispers instead of shouts. However, there would not be solitude for the man on the crowded beach for long. Soon enough, men called for Zanon.
Timaeus added his own voice to the mix as he finally stepped forward towards the man. “Your Highness!” He called out, ready and willing to offer to go in Zanon’s place to spare him the sight of whatever was on the ship. He knew how the mere image of Nicomedes slumped over haunted him still all these years later, Tim couldn’t let himself stand idly by as the prince faced the horror that he had. The Valaoritis lord’s voice was lost in the din though and he was forced to helplessly watch as the Prince climbed the ship to meet whatever fate the Gods had decided for his family.
Once Zanon had disappeared down into the hold, Timaeus moved over to where the rope ladder was, so that he could offer his support the moment that the Prince landed once more on solid ground. As he waited nervously for any sign of the Kotas man, he could see some of the laborers haul an over-eager boy off of the ship, tossed over their shoulders easily as if he was nothing more than a sack of grain. As he was carried off the ship, a glimmer of recognition was seen in the Baron’s eyes as he caught sight of the boy’s face. He motioned for the servant to bring the lad to him who was promptly placed onto the sand as the Baron scolded the Eliades boy before him.
“Have you no respect, child?” Timaeus angrily said, furious that the boy had dared to treat this great tragedy as a playground. The boy, whose name Timaeus did not even pretend to know given how his memory struggled with such things, hung his head in shame before he opened his mouth to protest. This was swiftly cut off by the Baron though with a sharp, “Your king may be dead and you decided to play on his grave.” His words were low so that the fear of what all the nobility realized would not ripple through the crowd, but it only added to the coldness of his words. They clearly hit their mark as the child who was known to be defiant and wild, as both twins were, promptly closed his mouth and turned white as a sheet as the gravity of his actions hit him. Not eager to chastise the child further, as it was not his place to do so, Timaeus motioned to the servant from earlier and said quickly, “Find his mother. Let her know the shame her son has brought upon himself.” With a nod, the man hurried off with the child in tow, hopefully being the last that Timaeus would see of them.
Turning his attention back to the ship, it wasn’t long before Zanon reemerged from the hold and climbed down the rope ladder. Timaeus’s eyes remained locked on the man, searching desperately for any sign of what happened on board. The man did not need to guess though as Zanon quickly summoned him forward, pulling his family’s baron to the side, away from others so that he might reveal the soul-crushing news.
“The King is dead. My brother’s coronation must happen as soon as he lands from Taengea.”
Timaeus could feel the news hit him like the hard jab of a fist as Zanon revealed the reality of what was on the ship. “No. It can’t--” Timaeus stuttered back immediately, unwilling to believe that the worst case scenario had actually come to pass. For a moment, the man could believe that this had been a folly, given how his comrade lacked any sort of feeling other than the sense of looming responsibility that hung over them both. However, it was the glimmer of gold from the crown in Zanon’s crown that told the Baron that this was not some cruel dream, it was their new reality.
King Tython was dead. Prince Vangelis was not to take up his father’s rule and… the man before him was not the crown prince.
Timaeus bowed his head in respect as he tried to hide his own tidal wave of grief that was rising within him at the news. His chest felt tight and his throat seemed to close as tears threatened to well in his eyes. Although the Baron had not been close with the dead king, the man had served as a role model in his life as well, with their families being so closely linked. That and the whole of Colchis knew Tython only as an excellent and fair ruler with hardly any scandal to his name. He was well beloved by his people, highly respected for his skills in battle, and just like that he was gone.
The whole of Colchis would mourn the loss of a man like Tython.
“You have my family’s full support in this try-trying time, Your Highness.” Timaeus eventually choked out, trying to suppress his reaction to such news. ‘We will do whatever you need of us.” It was a statement that did not need to be uttered, given the long-standing history of unwavering loyalty between the Valaoritis and Kotas households, but it was the one way that the Baron could say that they would personally be there for him in the days that would follow. Both in a political and emotional stance.
“I will summon messengers. They’ll ride through the night to deliver the news to all the noble houses and reach the capital before us, to start preparations.” Timaeus reaffirmed, mentally scrambling to think of what would be needed for such an event that he had never seen before in his lifetime. “Shall I also send for men from my unit to supplement your guard and protect your family? Tell me what you need and I’ll see to it.” His voice was solemn as he ran over what might be needed for such a task. There was so much that had to be done and so little time to do it.
There were so many things he could ask, he could say... But there was only one thing on Timaeus’s mind as he glanced up at his friend, his eyes pleading for Zanon to tell the truth, something that Timaeus had unknowingly denied him on that fateful night so long ago, “Zanon,” He started with his voice dropping to a whisper so they both knew that whatever they said was between them, “Whatever you need, I will be there for you. You are not alone.” Timaeus’s voice cracked a bit as he said the few words he wished that he had heard that night when his brother, his rock, had died. “I promise you.” Whatever Zanon needed, Timaeus would give him.
After all, he knew the man’s pain all too well.
But there was one thing he couldn’t do for Zanon. “You need to tell them,” He said quietly while glancing at the crowd behind them. “They need to know what happened here.”
Every part of Timaeus was alight with fear and with pain as he stood at the ropes, hauling the ship out of the water as if he was nothing more than a common laborer. Never in all of his twenty-four years did he ever think he would find himself in such a position, red-faced and screaming in agony as the ropes and chains chaffed his palms and pushed his arms to the very limits of their strength. This kind of work was supposed to be beneath him, reserved for those who didn’t have the fortune of being born into a family like his or had earned their way out of doing such things through their own merit in battle. Every rule of society told him that he shouldn’t be here on the lines like this.
But the rules of society did not apply in the situation that was unfolding here on the beaches.
Although Timaeus couldn’t see it, as he was so focused on his own pain and the task before him, his rallying cry worked as men from all walks of life found a place at the ropes. Soldiers, merchants, princes, noblemen. Everyone who was physically capable of the task found their place. If the young baron glanced behind him, he might have been able to see the straining faces of his close friend Maleos and the soldier who came to Roxana’s aid a few short months ago. Further back he might have seen his own brother, spurred forward by his brother’s cry even though he was meant to be safely tucked away in their living quarters. There were boys who were barely old enough to call themselves men there working right along with men so old their knees threatened to give way with a single misstep. They were all different, but they were all Colchian united in one common goal; reveal what happened out on the open seas.
What Timaeus did know was that close to him was the one person who had the most to lose this day; Prince Zanon. After having worked so closely, and lived in total fear of the man for over a month now, Timaeus recognized him by the noises the royal made as he struggled alongside the baron. His eyes flashed up in concern towards the older man, knowing full well the chaos and torment that the leader must have been facing. After all, Timaeus knew all too well what it was like to lose both a father and an elder brother. The anguish that surely was plaguing Zanon was not an unfamiliar one and the man wanted nothing more than to reach out to his counterpart, to reassure him that everyone would be okay even as the dark reality crashed upon him. In a weird sort of way, Timaeus wanted to protect Zanon from the horror that would await him once the ship was free from its watery grave.
But they had a job to do.
Timaeus said nothing more, at least coherently, as the men worked to get the ship up onto the beach. It was easy to lose himself in the task and momentarily forget everything, but the stinging pain in his palms and ache in his muscles. He didn’t want to address the grief that was already creeping upon him, having known both men that could be dead on the ship. A few minutes felt like an eternity, but soon enough, the waterlogged hull of the ship had breached the surface and it was deemed safe enough to enter the hold and discover the truth.
Once a cry to drop the ropes had rung out, Timaeus collapsed onto the sand, struggling to breathe as his spent muscles finally rested. He was only down for a few moments, recovering from the task that sapped every ounce of strength from him, but soon enough he was able to shakily climb to his feet. The scene unfolding around him was chaos as men frantically moved about, racing to secure the ship and climb aboard. Shrill cries of worry from the women left behind in the crowd pierced his ears, but Timaeus was able to ignore it all once he caught sight of the most heartbreaking sight of all. Prince Zanon on his knees, looking up at the ship that carried either his dead father or brother.
Knowing the man’s pain, Timaeus desperately wanted to approach him. Someone needed to give him the support that he would need in this trying time, but the Baron also knew that the man needed to be alone with is grief. This was a trying time and swarming him may only worsen the pain of this grim discovery. Zanon would seek help when he was ready for it.
So, Timaeus kept his distance and kept others from coming too close as well. For the few agonizing minutes that followed the first man entering the ship to when the prince was called aboard, the Baron redirected anyone that came in Zanon’s direction. It was an easy thing to do as well, using his clout as a military leader and a baron to have those surround them listen. The man may not even have noticed as the Valaoritis used whispers instead of shouts. However, there would not be solitude for the man on the crowded beach for long. Soon enough, men called for Zanon.
Timaeus added his own voice to the mix as he finally stepped forward towards the man. “Your Highness!” He called out, ready and willing to offer to go in Zanon’s place to spare him the sight of whatever was on the ship. He knew how the mere image of Nicomedes slumped over haunted him still all these years later, Tim couldn’t let himself stand idly by as the prince faced the horror that he had. The Valaoritis lord’s voice was lost in the din though and he was forced to helplessly watch as the Prince climbed the ship to meet whatever fate the Gods had decided for his family.
Once Zanon had disappeared down into the hold, Timaeus moved over to where the rope ladder was, so that he could offer his support the moment that the Prince landed once more on solid ground. As he waited nervously for any sign of the Kotas man, he could see some of the laborers haul an over-eager boy off of the ship, tossed over their shoulders easily as if he was nothing more than a sack of grain. As he was carried off the ship, a glimmer of recognition was seen in the Baron’s eyes as he caught sight of the boy’s face. He motioned for the servant to bring the lad to him who was promptly placed onto the sand as the Baron scolded the Eliades boy before him.
“Have you no respect, child?” Timaeus angrily said, furious that the boy had dared to treat this great tragedy as a playground. The boy, whose name Timaeus did not even pretend to know given how his memory struggled with such things, hung his head in shame before he opened his mouth to protest. This was swiftly cut off by the Baron though with a sharp, “Your king may be dead and you decided to play on his grave.” His words were low so that the fear of what all the nobility realized would not ripple through the crowd, but it only added to the coldness of his words. They clearly hit their mark as the child who was known to be defiant and wild, as both twins were, promptly closed his mouth and turned white as a sheet as the gravity of his actions hit him. Not eager to chastise the child further, as it was not his place to do so, Timaeus motioned to the servant from earlier and said quickly, “Find his mother. Let her know the shame her son has brought upon himself.” With a nod, the man hurried off with the child in tow, hopefully being the last that Timaeus would see of them.
Turning his attention back to the ship, it wasn’t long before Zanon reemerged from the hold and climbed down the rope ladder. Timaeus’s eyes remained locked on the man, searching desperately for any sign of what happened on board. The man did not need to guess though as Zanon quickly summoned him forward, pulling his family’s baron to the side, away from others so that he might reveal the soul-crushing news.
“The King is dead. My brother’s coronation must happen as soon as he lands from Taengea.”
Timaeus could feel the news hit him like the hard jab of a fist as Zanon revealed the reality of what was on the ship. “No. It can’t--” Timaeus stuttered back immediately, unwilling to believe that the worst case scenario had actually come to pass. For a moment, the man could believe that this had been a folly, given how his comrade lacked any sort of feeling other than the sense of looming responsibility that hung over them both. However, it was the glimmer of gold from the crown in Zanon’s crown that told the Baron that this was not some cruel dream, it was their new reality.
King Tython was dead. Prince Vangelis was not to take up his father’s rule and… the man before him was not the crown prince.
Timaeus bowed his head in respect as he tried to hide his own tidal wave of grief that was rising within him at the news. His chest felt tight and his throat seemed to close as tears threatened to well in his eyes. Although the Baron had not been close with the dead king, the man had served as a role model in his life as well, with their families being so closely linked. That and the whole of Colchis knew Tython only as an excellent and fair ruler with hardly any scandal to his name. He was well beloved by his people, highly respected for his skills in battle, and just like that he was gone.
The whole of Colchis would mourn the loss of a man like Tython.
“You have my family’s full support in this try-trying time, Your Highness.” Timaeus eventually choked out, trying to suppress his reaction to such news. ‘We will do whatever you need of us.” It was a statement that did not need to be uttered, given the long-standing history of unwavering loyalty between the Valaoritis and Kotas households, but it was the one way that the Baron could say that they would personally be there for him in the days that would follow. Both in a political and emotional stance.
“I will summon messengers. They’ll ride through the night to deliver the news to all the noble houses and reach the capital before us, to start preparations.” Timaeus reaffirmed, mentally scrambling to think of what would be needed for such an event that he had never seen before in his lifetime. “Shall I also send for men from my unit to supplement your guard and protect your family? Tell me what you need and I’ll see to it.” His voice was solemn as he ran over what might be needed for such a task. There was so much that had to be done and so little time to do it.
There were so many things he could ask, he could say... But there was only one thing on Timaeus’s mind as he glanced up at his friend, his eyes pleading for Zanon to tell the truth, something that Timaeus had unknowingly denied him on that fateful night so long ago, “Zanon,” He started with his voice dropping to a whisper so they both knew that whatever they said was between them, “Whatever you need, I will be there for you. You are not alone.” Timaeus’s voice cracked a bit as he said the few words he wished that he had heard that night when his brother, his rock, had died. “I promise you.” Whatever Zanon needed, Timaeus would give him.
After all, he knew the man’s pain all too well.
But there was one thing he couldn’t do for Zanon. “You need to tell them,” He said quietly while glancing at the crowd behind them. “They need to know what happened here.”
The worried lines on Evras's forehead did not leave as she watched her husband scurry down the shoreline and join the rest of the Colchian men in attendance in heaving the sunken boat to shore. She did not know what to expect, or maybe she was simply in denial of what could be expected when the Kotas bear had clearly been displayed at the prow of the ship. Just how many ships bearing the Kotas insignia was out on sea anyway? Either way this ship turned up would not mean good news for her husband, or her son.
Or herself.
Too far away to hear the shouts and make note of what they were saying however, Evras turned to Thea, a look of helplessness on her face, as Zanon entered the ship to search. Could she say no? Of course not. This was his duty. This was his helm to bear when Vangelis and Tython were not in the kingdom, and by extension, this was her worry to stomach as well. That the ship had been found in Nethisa, which was a Thanasi province, was worrying enough. How would the second prince react to all of this?
As Nethis and Dysius approached her as well Evras chanced a look at her elder sister, her words making her nod, but not saying a word. To a certain extent, she knew why Nethis had agreed so easily to a marriage between herself and Zanon. She was a pawn. Not that her elder sister had no love for her, of that Evras was sure, but even if she was her sister, Nethis would not hesitate to ensure Thanasi blood was on the throne. And Evras did not wish for Dion to be another piece of the chess game they played.
"Is Mihail still around?" she asked softly as they waited, but before an answer could be given, her husband emerged from the stomach of the ship, and from a distance, Evras could see the grim look upon his face. Having barely heard Nethis's question to Thea as it faded in the hum of her ears, she squinted, but failed to see what he held - or what he had found aboard the destroyed vessel.
"Should I go to him, Nethis?" she murmured, suddenly unsure and looking like a child looking for their most familiar family members for guidance. The young lady's fingers worried themselves in front of her as she casted uncertain looks at Zanon, and then back at her siblings. What did one do under such circumstances? While she wanted to ensure her husband was fine, the very real fear of whatever he had found and whatever he had heard whispered would make him turn his back against her in front of everyone in Nethisa.
And she wasn't sure if she - or the babe in her stomach, whose existence was still unknown to everyone, but who Thea had managed to assure was there - was ready for such public humiliation.
Subconsciously, her hand found Thea's and her grip tightened on it, whether it be for strength or support, only the Gods would know.
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The worried lines on Evras's forehead did not leave as she watched her husband scurry down the shoreline and join the rest of the Colchian men in attendance in heaving the sunken boat to shore. She did not know what to expect, or maybe she was simply in denial of what could be expected when the Kotas bear had clearly been displayed at the prow of the ship. Just how many ships bearing the Kotas insignia was out on sea anyway? Either way this ship turned up would not mean good news for her husband, or her son.
Or herself.
Too far away to hear the shouts and make note of what they were saying however, Evras turned to Thea, a look of helplessness on her face, as Zanon entered the ship to search. Could she say no? Of course not. This was his duty. This was his helm to bear when Vangelis and Tython were not in the kingdom, and by extension, this was her worry to stomach as well. That the ship had been found in Nethisa, which was a Thanasi province, was worrying enough. How would the second prince react to all of this?
As Nethis and Dysius approached her as well Evras chanced a look at her elder sister, her words making her nod, but not saying a word. To a certain extent, she knew why Nethis had agreed so easily to a marriage between herself and Zanon. She was a pawn. Not that her elder sister had no love for her, of that Evras was sure, but even if she was her sister, Nethis would not hesitate to ensure Thanasi blood was on the throne. And Evras did not wish for Dion to be another piece of the chess game they played.
"Is Mihail still around?" she asked softly as they waited, but before an answer could be given, her husband emerged from the stomach of the ship, and from a distance, Evras could see the grim look upon his face. Having barely heard Nethis's question to Thea as it faded in the hum of her ears, she squinted, but failed to see what he held - or what he had found aboard the destroyed vessel.
"Should I go to him, Nethis?" she murmured, suddenly unsure and looking like a child looking for their most familiar family members for guidance. The young lady's fingers worried themselves in front of her as she casted uncertain looks at Zanon, and then back at her siblings. What did one do under such circumstances? While she wanted to ensure her husband was fine, the very real fear of whatever he had found and whatever he had heard whispered would make him turn his back against her in front of everyone in Nethisa.
And she wasn't sure if she - or the babe in her stomach, whose existence was still unknown to everyone, but who Thea had managed to assure was there - was ready for such public humiliation.
Subconsciously, her hand found Thea's and her grip tightened on it, whether it be for strength or support, only the Gods would know.
The worried lines on Evras's forehead did not leave as she watched her husband scurry down the shoreline and join the rest of the Colchian men in attendance in heaving the sunken boat to shore. She did not know what to expect, or maybe she was simply in denial of what could be expected when the Kotas bear had clearly been displayed at the prow of the ship. Just how many ships bearing the Kotas insignia was out on sea anyway? Either way this ship turned up would not mean good news for her husband, or her son.
Or herself.
Too far away to hear the shouts and make note of what they were saying however, Evras turned to Thea, a look of helplessness on her face, as Zanon entered the ship to search. Could she say no? Of course not. This was his duty. This was his helm to bear when Vangelis and Tython were not in the kingdom, and by extension, this was her worry to stomach as well. That the ship had been found in Nethisa, which was a Thanasi province, was worrying enough. How would the second prince react to all of this?
As Nethis and Dysius approached her as well Evras chanced a look at her elder sister, her words making her nod, but not saying a word. To a certain extent, she knew why Nethis had agreed so easily to a marriage between herself and Zanon. She was a pawn. Not that her elder sister had no love for her, of that Evras was sure, but even if she was her sister, Nethis would not hesitate to ensure Thanasi blood was on the throne. And Evras did not wish for Dion to be another piece of the chess game they played.
"Is Mihail still around?" she asked softly as they waited, but before an answer could be given, her husband emerged from the stomach of the ship, and from a distance, Evras could see the grim look upon his face. Having barely heard Nethis's question to Thea as it faded in the hum of her ears, she squinted, but failed to see what he held - or what he had found aboard the destroyed vessel.
"Should I go to him, Nethis?" she murmured, suddenly unsure and looking like a child looking for their most familiar family members for guidance. The young lady's fingers worried themselves in front of her as she casted uncertain looks at Zanon, and then back at her siblings. What did one do under such circumstances? While she wanted to ensure her husband was fine, the very real fear of whatever he had found and whatever he had heard whispered would make him turn his back against her in front of everyone in Nethisa.
And she wasn't sure if she - or the babe in her stomach, whose existence was still unknown to everyone, but who Thea had managed to assure was there - was ready for such public humiliation.
Subconsciously, her hand found Thea's and her grip tightened on it, whether it be for strength or support, only the Gods would know.
Arms wrapped tightly around herself, Essa's brown eyes looked for her mother in the crowd, wishing she had brought the shawl Aikaterine had shoved at her instead of leaving it behind with her friend; she had been in such a hurry to rush after her mother that the thought of pausing to take the fabric and toss it around her shoulders seemed preposterous. Anxiety, who was a close friend to the Drakos girl, whispered in her ear, sending chills down her spine. Her lips pursed. Her brows furrowed.
In her attempt to search the gathering crowd for Tythra's familiar golden head, Essa happened to catch the eyes of a boy. His lips pulled into a smile and he winked! Her lips formed an 'o' shape in surprise, unsure what to do, especially when it seemed as though he was approaching her. She mentally braced herself for the possible interaction, cheeks pink, when there's a cry in the air, and she turns back towards the ocean. In some ways, she wished she hadn't.
The bear carved into the ship's bow stared Essa right in the eyes. Her face paled. No, no, no. The rational part of her brain told her to be still, to calm the rapid beating of her heart, but her feet were already in motion.
Imeeya.
The world around her faded away and it was just her and the ship. Her sister had been on a Kotas ship. She paused, feet covered in sand, pale faced and wide eyed. Her skirt bellowed about her feet like a flag. Her sister had been on a Kotas ship.[/i]
Again the rational part of her brain called for action. Remember, it said, there were two ships. Two Kotas ships, Essa. Have faith. That may not be your sister's ship. She calmed, but only for a moment. When was the last time Essa had told Imeeya she loved her? What had been the last thing she said to her sister? She couldn't remember. But what she did remember was all their fights, all the times they had argued. She thought of all the times she disappointed Imeeya, all the times she complained about her to Aikaterine.
Oh, gods. Please, please…
Her hands went to stomach. She gave a small whimper, and then a sob. Tears blurred her vision and ran down her pale cheeks like hot coals. I can't lose her! I can't! Please, please, please! I'll do anything! She knew she was being selfish, to cry and worry for Imeeya, knowing that if it were her ship, it wasn't just her sister lost to the sea, but Vangelis and Athanasia, too.
Where was her mother? She needed...she didn't know what she needed, but she needed someone. Imeeya, I'm so sorr-
"It's the king's ship!"
The seconds of relief she felt made her sick. She hated herself for it. She ran her fingers through her brown hair, the pins that had been holding it up falling at her feet. She blinked through her tears, once more looking for a familiar face, someone to hold on to.
She saw then one of her cousins, Zanon. How had she not seen him sooner? He emerged from the wreckage and Essa searched his face. Her mother, where was her mother? She needed to be here. She wiped her eyes, red rimmed and glossy.
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Arms wrapped tightly around herself, Essa's brown eyes looked for her mother in the crowd, wishing she had brought the shawl Aikaterine had shoved at her instead of leaving it behind with her friend; she had been in such a hurry to rush after her mother that the thought of pausing to take the fabric and toss it around her shoulders seemed preposterous. Anxiety, who was a close friend to the Drakos girl, whispered in her ear, sending chills down her spine. Her lips pursed. Her brows furrowed.
In her attempt to search the gathering crowd for Tythra's familiar golden head, Essa happened to catch the eyes of a boy. His lips pulled into a smile and he winked! Her lips formed an 'o' shape in surprise, unsure what to do, especially when it seemed as though he was approaching her. She mentally braced herself for the possible interaction, cheeks pink, when there's a cry in the air, and she turns back towards the ocean. In some ways, she wished she hadn't.
The bear carved into the ship's bow stared Essa right in the eyes. Her face paled. No, no, no. The rational part of her brain told her to be still, to calm the rapid beating of her heart, but her feet were already in motion.
Imeeya.
The world around her faded away and it was just her and the ship. Her sister had been on a Kotas ship. She paused, feet covered in sand, pale faced and wide eyed. Her skirt bellowed about her feet like a flag. Her sister had been on a Kotas ship.[/i]
Again the rational part of her brain called for action. Remember, it said, there were two ships. Two Kotas ships, Essa. Have faith. That may not be your sister's ship. She calmed, but only for a moment. When was the last time Essa had told Imeeya she loved her? What had been the last thing she said to her sister? She couldn't remember. But what she did remember was all their fights, all the times they had argued. She thought of all the times she disappointed Imeeya, all the times she complained about her to Aikaterine.
Oh, gods. Please, please…
Her hands went to stomach. She gave a small whimper, and then a sob. Tears blurred her vision and ran down her pale cheeks like hot coals. I can't lose her! I can't! Please, please, please! I'll do anything! She knew she was being selfish, to cry and worry for Imeeya, knowing that if it were her ship, it wasn't just her sister lost to the sea, but Vangelis and Athanasia, too.
Where was her mother? She needed...she didn't know what she needed, but she needed someone. Imeeya, I'm so sorr-
"It's the king's ship!"
The seconds of relief she felt made her sick. She hated herself for it. She ran her fingers through her brown hair, the pins that had been holding it up falling at her feet. She blinked through her tears, once more looking for a familiar face, someone to hold on to.
She saw then one of her cousins, Zanon. How had she not seen him sooner? He emerged from the wreckage and Essa searched his face. Her mother, where was her mother? She needed to be here. She wiped her eyes, red rimmed and glossy.
Arms wrapped tightly around herself, Essa's brown eyes looked for her mother in the crowd, wishing she had brought the shawl Aikaterine had shoved at her instead of leaving it behind with her friend; she had been in such a hurry to rush after her mother that the thought of pausing to take the fabric and toss it around her shoulders seemed preposterous. Anxiety, who was a close friend to the Drakos girl, whispered in her ear, sending chills down her spine. Her lips pursed. Her brows furrowed.
In her attempt to search the gathering crowd for Tythra's familiar golden head, Essa happened to catch the eyes of a boy. His lips pulled into a smile and he winked! Her lips formed an 'o' shape in surprise, unsure what to do, especially when it seemed as though he was approaching her. She mentally braced herself for the possible interaction, cheeks pink, when there's a cry in the air, and she turns back towards the ocean. In some ways, she wished she hadn't.
The bear carved into the ship's bow stared Essa right in the eyes. Her face paled. No, no, no. The rational part of her brain told her to be still, to calm the rapid beating of her heart, but her feet were already in motion.
Imeeya.
The world around her faded away and it was just her and the ship. Her sister had been on a Kotas ship. She paused, feet covered in sand, pale faced and wide eyed. Her skirt bellowed about her feet like a flag. Her sister had been on a Kotas ship.[/i]
Again the rational part of her brain called for action. Remember, it said, there were two ships. Two Kotas ships, Essa. Have faith. That may not be your sister's ship. She calmed, but only for a moment. When was the last time Essa had told Imeeya she loved her? What had been the last thing she said to her sister? She couldn't remember. But what she did remember was all their fights, all the times they had argued. She thought of all the times she disappointed Imeeya, all the times she complained about her to Aikaterine.
Oh, gods. Please, please…
Her hands went to stomach. She gave a small whimper, and then a sob. Tears blurred her vision and ran down her pale cheeks like hot coals. I can't lose her! I can't! Please, please, please! I'll do anything! She knew she was being selfish, to cry and worry for Imeeya, knowing that if it were her ship, it wasn't just her sister lost to the sea, but Vangelis and Athanasia, too.
Where was her mother? She needed...she didn't know what she needed, but she needed someone. Imeeya, I'm so sorr-
"It's the king's ship!"
The seconds of relief she felt made her sick. She hated herself for it. She ran her fingers through her brown hair, the pins that had been holding it up falling at her feet. She blinked through her tears, once more looking for a familiar face, someone to hold on to.
She saw then one of her cousins, Zanon. How had she not seen him sooner? He emerged from the wreckage and Essa searched his face. Her mother, where was her mother? She needed to be here. She wiped her eyes, red rimmed and glossy.
It was a Kotas ship, of course. It was as though the gods were forbidding them anything nice, for first, they had stolen away all Mihail's claim to nobility, and now they took any chance of his family claiming something from the wreckage. The world seemed intent on destroying any Thanasi joy.
Drawing his gaze away from the boat in question, he turned momentarily to frown at his sister's words. Either she had not noticed the passive aggression to his tone, or she had opted to ignore it, for Thea was speaking as though all was right in the world and they were not now separated by blood. He did not appreciate the ignorance of his pettiness. "The baron is treating me well, though I have requested he considers me as nothing more than any other citizen of Nethisa." It was not precisely the truth. There had been exceptions. "I do not require special attention." Mihail did not answer his other sister's comment, unwilling to acknowledge that he and Nethis would inevitably be forced into a discussion about his notes to the woman and his birthright, although he did follow after her to find Evras. He may not have cared for House Kotas nor his sister's husband all that much, but he understood the cause for upset.
He would have reached to embrace her as his sisters had, but inherent pettiness prevented him from doing so, a small voice at the back of his mind reminding him that such behaviour would not have been becoming of someone of lower status, especially given that Evras was not just royal-blooded but a princess and, given the ownership of the found ship, quite possibly their soon-to-be queen. Hm. Mihail supposed he might be willing to return to his Thanasi name if such a thing became the case. There was quite an appeal to the idea of his sister as queen and, regardless of potential adoption or not, there were always advantages to be reaped.
Still, Mihail gave Evras a mildly reassuring smile, clasping his hands across his front and flickering his eyes towards the boat. The King's ship. For a moment, that obnoxious attitude derived from his claim of peasantry vanished, and he found himself speaking to his sister as though there was no pity-desiring invented tension between them. He did not quite know the truth, but that did not stop him. "It will be alright, Evras. I promise."
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It was a Kotas ship, of course. It was as though the gods were forbidding them anything nice, for first, they had stolen away all Mihail's claim to nobility, and now they took any chance of his family claiming something from the wreckage. The world seemed intent on destroying any Thanasi joy.
Drawing his gaze away from the boat in question, he turned momentarily to frown at his sister's words. Either she had not noticed the passive aggression to his tone, or she had opted to ignore it, for Thea was speaking as though all was right in the world and they were not now separated by blood. He did not appreciate the ignorance of his pettiness. "The baron is treating me well, though I have requested he considers me as nothing more than any other citizen of Nethisa." It was not precisely the truth. There had been exceptions. "I do not require special attention." Mihail did not answer his other sister's comment, unwilling to acknowledge that he and Nethis would inevitably be forced into a discussion about his notes to the woman and his birthright, although he did follow after her to find Evras. He may not have cared for House Kotas nor his sister's husband all that much, but he understood the cause for upset.
He would have reached to embrace her as his sisters had, but inherent pettiness prevented him from doing so, a small voice at the back of his mind reminding him that such behaviour would not have been becoming of someone of lower status, especially given that Evras was not just royal-blooded but a princess and, given the ownership of the found ship, quite possibly their soon-to-be queen. Hm. Mihail supposed he might be willing to return to his Thanasi name if such a thing became the case. There was quite an appeal to the idea of his sister as queen and, regardless of potential adoption or not, there were always advantages to be reaped.
Still, Mihail gave Evras a mildly reassuring smile, clasping his hands across his front and flickering his eyes towards the boat. The King's ship. For a moment, that obnoxious attitude derived from his claim of peasantry vanished, and he found himself speaking to his sister as though there was no pity-desiring invented tension between them. He did not quite know the truth, but that did not stop him. "It will be alright, Evras. I promise."
It was a Kotas ship, of course. It was as though the gods were forbidding them anything nice, for first, they had stolen away all Mihail's claim to nobility, and now they took any chance of his family claiming something from the wreckage. The world seemed intent on destroying any Thanasi joy.
Drawing his gaze away from the boat in question, he turned momentarily to frown at his sister's words. Either she had not noticed the passive aggression to his tone, or she had opted to ignore it, for Thea was speaking as though all was right in the world and they were not now separated by blood. He did not appreciate the ignorance of his pettiness. "The baron is treating me well, though I have requested he considers me as nothing more than any other citizen of Nethisa." It was not precisely the truth. There had been exceptions. "I do not require special attention." Mihail did not answer his other sister's comment, unwilling to acknowledge that he and Nethis would inevitably be forced into a discussion about his notes to the woman and his birthright, although he did follow after her to find Evras. He may not have cared for House Kotas nor his sister's husband all that much, but he understood the cause for upset.
He would have reached to embrace her as his sisters had, but inherent pettiness prevented him from doing so, a small voice at the back of his mind reminding him that such behaviour would not have been becoming of someone of lower status, especially given that Evras was not just royal-blooded but a princess and, given the ownership of the found ship, quite possibly their soon-to-be queen. Hm. Mihail supposed he might be willing to return to his Thanasi name if such a thing became the case. There was quite an appeal to the idea of his sister as queen and, regardless of potential adoption or not, there were always advantages to be reaped.
Still, Mihail gave Evras a mildly reassuring smile, clasping his hands across his front and flickering his eyes towards the boat. The King's ship. For a moment, that obnoxious attitude derived from his claim of peasantry vanished, and he found himself speaking to his sister as though there was no pity-desiring invented tension between them. He did not quite know the truth, but that did not stop him. "It will be alright, Evras. I promise."
Silanos didn’t know what the hell he was doing. Pinned in between men bent to haul rope and chain there was little recourse but for him to do the same, and so that is what he had begun to do, the salt water rising up to meet his booted feet as he tried to find some purchase upon the wet sand. He had youth on his side perhaps, but physically, he could hardly claim to be in good shape. The haphazard approach he took to self care took its toll in someways, and soon the young lord was breathing heavily, feeling sweat gather at the back of his neck. He broke off from the work and took a couple of steps back, just as the vessel was pulled up out of the surf.
It is the King’s Ship
The murmur broke over the crowd like on one of the waves that lapped at their feet, and there was a renewed effort from those men that still hauled upon chain. Silanos, standing back as he was, had a clear view of the Prince Zanon as he waded through the throng and climbed aboard the ship. He turned his face down toward the sand and tried to make himself invisible, though the Prince’s attention was clearly elsewhere. His little bid for freedom had turned into something quite different, and Silanos too could feel the cold thread of remembered griefs begin to wind its way around his throat, choking him. He needed to get out of here.
Shoving past those nearest to him, he considered trying to find Tim, but his brother would be with the Prince and so Silanos could not turn to him. He wanted a drink. Moving against the press of people wanting to get nearer to the ship and its secrets, the young man pushed and shouldered his way through them, face set,head down until there was some relief and he felt he could breath again. It was not a feeling that lasted long as he glanced up only to find himself a mere matter of feet from the Thanasi family, and from the Princess Evras. For a moment he looked upon her, and thought what she had cost him.
He was supposed to be a dead man. He would be a dead man if he stayed here.
Last he had seen her, she’d been being manhandled by her brute of a husband and he’d been fleeing into the night. It seemed a similarly appropriate course of action and swinging abruptly to the left, Sil walked on, keeping his head down now, determined to get away from the beach. He would have made a clean exit had he not collided with something, a someone he realised, as he staggered forward to try and save his unsuspecting victim from being knocked off her feet, little as she was. Dimly, he recognised the girl from before, though any thoughts he’d entertained towards flirtation were far from his mind now.
“Sorry, sorry” he muttered, reaching to steady the dark haired girl. A Drakos girl..what was her name again? But as Silanos tried to sift through all of the boring events he’d been dragged to, he saw past them for a moment, saw the brightness to the girl’s eyes, the red rims, and he frowned. “Hey now. You’re alright." The hands that he wrapped around her arms to stop her falling fell back to his sides and Sil glanced around. “ Do you need someone?” he asked, wanting nothing more than to be gone from this place. He was not a complete cad though to leave the girl obviously upset and alone. He rubbed at the back of his neck. “ Who are you here with?”
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This character is currently a work in progress.
Check out their information page here.
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Silanos didn’t know what the hell he was doing. Pinned in between men bent to haul rope and chain there was little recourse but for him to do the same, and so that is what he had begun to do, the salt water rising up to meet his booted feet as he tried to find some purchase upon the wet sand. He had youth on his side perhaps, but physically, he could hardly claim to be in good shape. The haphazard approach he took to self care took its toll in someways, and soon the young lord was breathing heavily, feeling sweat gather at the back of his neck. He broke off from the work and took a couple of steps back, just as the vessel was pulled up out of the surf.
It is the King’s Ship
The murmur broke over the crowd like on one of the waves that lapped at their feet, and there was a renewed effort from those men that still hauled upon chain. Silanos, standing back as he was, had a clear view of the Prince Zanon as he waded through the throng and climbed aboard the ship. He turned his face down toward the sand and tried to make himself invisible, though the Prince’s attention was clearly elsewhere. His little bid for freedom had turned into something quite different, and Silanos too could feel the cold thread of remembered griefs begin to wind its way around his throat, choking him. He needed to get out of here.
Shoving past those nearest to him, he considered trying to find Tim, but his brother would be with the Prince and so Silanos could not turn to him. He wanted a drink. Moving against the press of people wanting to get nearer to the ship and its secrets, the young man pushed and shouldered his way through them, face set,head down until there was some relief and he felt he could breath again. It was not a feeling that lasted long as he glanced up only to find himself a mere matter of feet from the Thanasi family, and from the Princess Evras. For a moment he looked upon her, and thought what she had cost him.
He was supposed to be a dead man. He would be a dead man if he stayed here.
Last he had seen her, she’d been being manhandled by her brute of a husband and he’d been fleeing into the night. It seemed a similarly appropriate course of action and swinging abruptly to the left, Sil walked on, keeping his head down now, determined to get away from the beach. He would have made a clean exit had he not collided with something, a someone he realised, as he staggered forward to try and save his unsuspecting victim from being knocked off her feet, little as she was. Dimly, he recognised the girl from before, though any thoughts he’d entertained towards flirtation were far from his mind now.
“Sorry, sorry” he muttered, reaching to steady the dark haired girl. A Drakos girl..what was her name again? But as Silanos tried to sift through all of the boring events he’d been dragged to, he saw past them for a moment, saw the brightness to the girl’s eyes, the red rims, and he frowned. “Hey now. You’re alright." The hands that he wrapped around her arms to stop her falling fell back to his sides and Sil glanced around. “ Do you need someone?” he asked, wanting nothing more than to be gone from this place. He was not a complete cad though to leave the girl obviously upset and alone. He rubbed at the back of his neck. “ Who are you here with?”
Silanos didn’t know what the hell he was doing. Pinned in between men bent to haul rope and chain there was little recourse but for him to do the same, and so that is what he had begun to do, the salt water rising up to meet his booted feet as he tried to find some purchase upon the wet sand. He had youth on his side perhaps, but physically, he could hardly claim to be in good shape. The haphazard approach he took to self care took its toll in someways, and soon the young lord was breathing heavily, feeling sweat gather at the back of his neck. He broke off from the work and took a couple of steps back, just as the vessel was pulled up out of the surf.
It is the King’s Ship
The murmur broke over the crowd like on one of the waves that lapped at their feet, and there was a renewed effort from those men that still hauled upon chain. Silanos, standing back as he was, had a clear view of the Prince Zanon as he waded through the throng and climbed aboard the ship. He turned his face down toward the sand and tried to make himself invisible, though the Prince’s attention was clearly elsewhere. His little bid for freedom had turned into something quite different, and Silanos too could feel the cold thread of remembered griefs begin to wind its way around his throat, choking him. He needed to get out of here.
Shoving past those nearest to him, he considered trying to find Tim, but his brother would be with the Prince and so Silanos could not turn to him. He wanted a drink. Moving against the press of people wanting to get nearer to the ship and its secrets, the young man pushed and shouldered his way through them, face set,head down until there was some relief and he felt he could breath again. It was not a feeling that lasted long as he glanced up only to find himself a mere matter of feet from the Thanasi family, and from the Princess Evras. For a moment he looked upon her, and thought what she had cost him.
He was supposed to be a dead man. He would be a dead man if he stayed here.
Last he had seen her, she’d been being manhandled by her brute of a husband and he’d been fleeing into the night. It seemed a similarly appropriate course of action and swinging abruptly to the left, Sil walked on, keeping his head down now, determined to get away from the beach. He would have made a clean exit had he not collided with something, a someone he realised, as he staggered forward to try and save his unsuspecting victim from being knocked off her feet, little as she was. Dimly, he recognised the girl from before, though any thoughts he’d entertained towards flirtation were far from his mind now.
“Sorry, sorry” he muttered, reaching to steady the dark haired girl. A Drakos girl..what was her name again? But as Silanos tried to sift through all of the boring events he’d been dragged to, he saw past them for a moment, saw the brightness to the girl’s eyes, the red rims, and he frowned. “Hey now. You’re alright." The hands that he wrapped around her arms to stop her falling fell back to his sides and Sil glanced around. “ Do you need someone?” he asked, wanting nothing more than to be gone from this place. He was not a complete cad though to leave the girl obviously upset and alone. He rubbed at the back of his neck. “ Who are you here with?”
–- A few days prior --
The day was bright and joyful. The sun high up in the sky as Daxos sat in the forum of his brother-in-law's home. His daughter Calista was running and giggling with her cousin, playing tag and other games children play. A warmth fell over Daxos as he looked on, a rare feeling of happiness that was always fleeting. She ran up to him, "Daddy! Spin!" she jumped up and wrapped her arms around his neck. He grabbed her up and spun her around rapidly, causing her to giggle. I wish this could last forever, he thought to himself, but he knew that soon he'd have to leave.
There had been rumors of war upon the horizon, a cold dark storm that could be felt brewing, tension from the captains and commanders. He had heard something about an abandoned ship being found off the coast of Nethisa and it had all of the aristocracy up in the air. Rumors of gold and wealth unlike any other, it was Charon's ship, or it was a Colchis vessel who's entire crew had been murdered. The speculation was wild, and it was starting to leak down to the simple folk, but Daxos tried his best not to put stock in such rumors. It was probably nothing. He hoped that was true, but he knew that deep down trouble was on it's way to the shores of Colchis.
Daxos squeezed Calista and kissed her forehead, "I love you my little nymph." She giggled, dropped down, and ran back off to play with her cousin. It was at this moment he noticed another soldier slip into the forum. Daxos turned to him and nodded, motioning for him to come close.
The soldier quickly strode up to Daxos, "You're needed. Mission came down from the baron. You're to escort his mother to the coastal city of Nethisa." A strange request for sure, but Daxos nodded and the soldier left. He turned back to his daughter who was now staring up at him. He pulled her close and kissed her, "I must go to work my little nymph. I am not sure of when I will see you next. But know you're always in my heart." The little girl immediately started to cry. The sound of her sobbing pained him deeply as he turned and walked out the home.
It wasn't long before he arrived back at his small drab home, quickly donned his armor, and made his way to the baron's palace. He waited a few hours, and eventually, the Lady Periella came out, flanked by two more soldiers. She was led onto a small horse, which she slowly and painstakingly got onto, and without much word, they were off towards Nethisa. The first couple days passed without incident. It wasn't too far of a journey, a five day ride at the pace they were taking, and the other guards that were with them seemed not to care too much about the job. The Lady Periella was rumored to be losing her mind, and judging by the times her horse had wandered a bit off the path, egged on by her lack of attentiveness, Daxos often had to call out to her, which caused her to fix her horse and ride on.
It was the third night when the first incident happened. Daxos had taken the first watch. He lightly woke up his replacement, a young man named Cykos, and laid down to sleep. A couple hours later he was shaken awake by Cykos, "Daxos... She's gone!" Daxos immediately jumped up and look around the small clearing they had found. She was indeed not there. Her horse was still tied up, her bed roll and her belongings still in the clearing.
Immediately Daxos took charge, "Wake up you sorry sacks of shit!" The few remaining guards asleep groggily got up, "The lady has gone missing, and I suggest we find her before we all lose our heads! Now move!" The men all spread out through the area, looking into the small forested region nearby as Daxos began walking up the rocky crag on the opposite side of the clearing. It was an easy climb for him, but he had hoped the Lady had not tried to climb up through here. It was jagged and dangerous, and if she fell off the wrong way, she could have easily plummeted to her death. Ten minutes had passed as he looked for Lady Periella, he search getting ever more frantic. Eventually, he heard a voice down the rock crag, and he looked over the edge.
Down around six feet below, he finally found her, on a small rocky outcrop, looking terrified, "Hello? Help me..." Her voice was quiet and full of terror. He fell to the dirt and leaned over the side, "Lady Periella. Are you okay?" She looked up and nodded. "I slipped and fell." There was a bit of blood running down her arm, no doubt from some deep scratch she had received as she fell down.
"Wait here for one moment my lady." Daxos ran back and rallied the men, brought them back to Lady Periella, “Don't fret my lady,” his voice warm and reassuring, this woman reminded him of his own mother in her final years, “We'll get you up.” He turned to the other three men, “Grab my ankles and lower me down.” Moments later, he had her up.
“I'm glad your safe my lady. I'm sure the baron would have killed us if serious harm had befell you.” Daxos bowed once she was secure on the ground. Her mouth jerked slightly in what Daxos could assume as a smile from the lady.
“He would likely not, all Men of the Heights are important to him.” She sighed and slumped to the ground, “I went for a walk, my head has been racing all day.”
“Don't fret my lady, just remember next time to let us know. I would hate to see harm upon you. Let's rest up and prepare for the journey.” Daxos helped her to her feet and led her back to their camp for the night. After cleaning and wrapping the shallow cut on her arm, he laid down to sleep for the night.
-- Current day --
They had arrived the night previously safely, with no other issues the rest of the journey. Daxos spent the night in a brothel, in the company of a beautiful redheaded woman who was from somewhere up north, and when the day broke, he slid out after leaving his payment on the table next to her. He took the first step out, already dressed in his armor, clean and polished, and made his way to the manor at which Lady Periella had stayed.
After meeting up with her, he escorted her to the docks with the other three men, as she met up with her family. Daxos noticed that the baron had already arrived and nodded to him slightly, and stood loosely by the lady. After a few moments he noticed the crowd was starting to get riled up as the ship was getting pulled up, and his baron had directed him to stand guard closer to his mother. “Yes my lord.” He shifted his shield off of his back and stood at attention, keeping a close eye on all of those around him, making sure to push back any civilian who got to close to the lady and apologized to each of them.
It wasn't long after the ship had broke from under the water when the baron yelled for the men to help. Daxos turned to the other men keeping guard, “Stay with the lady. Do not let harm fall upon her.” He threw his shield back upon his shoulder, handed his spear to another soldier, and rushed forward, grabbing a rope and began to pull.
The ship was not easy to pull up, and Daxos strained heavily against the ropes, but he could tell it was coming up. With more help and effort, eventually the ship rose above the water, and the crest of the royal family had appeared. Daxos felt a pit in his stomach. The storm was in truth brewing. War would soon fall upon the nation of Colchis. The only thing he could think of at that moment was his daughter. He dropped the rope once it had been successfully beached, and noticed the Crown Prince jump on and into the hold. He moved back over to Lady Periella and her kind, took his spear back, and went back to keeping her safe.
Moments later the Crown Prince had climbed out of the hull and said four words which made the crowd silent. Daxos felt the pit drop in his stomach, indeed war was coming. He bowed his head in respect. If he still believed in the gods he may have offered a prayer, but he did not. He noticed the crowd had started to get more antsy than before, cries of denial and wails of those who felt the pain of Zanon.
Daxos called out to his lord, “Baron Timeaus,” he walked a few feet towards him, “Should I escort your family back to safety? The common folk may not react to this news too well and it'd be best to get her to a safer location. What is it you need of me my lord?” Daxos felt his words were cold, a defense mechanism he had learned through his few years of fight. His training took over, and he knew that it is possible Timaeus may see this as uncaring, but he had hoped his lord could sense that it was not.
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This character is currently a work in progress.
Check out their information page here.
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–- A few days prior --
The day was bright and joyful. The sun high up in the sky as Daxos sat in the forum of his brother-in-law's home. His daughter Calista was running and giggling with her cousin, playing tag and other games children play. A warmth fell over Daxos as he looked on, a rare feeling of happiness that was always fleeting. She ran up to him, "Daddy! Spin!" she jumped up and wrapped her arms around his neck. He grabbed her up and spun her around rapidly, causing her to giggle. I wish this could last forever, he thought to himself, but he knew that soon he'd have to leave.
There had been rumors of war upon the horizon, a cold dark storm that could be felt brewing, tension from the captains and commanders. He had heard something about an abandoned ship being found off the coast of Nethisa and it had all of the aristocracy up in the air. Rumors of gold and wealth unlike any other, it was Charon's ship, or it was a Colchis vessel who's entire crew had been murdered. The speculation was wild, and it was starting to leak down to the simple folk, but Daxos tried his best not to put stock in such rumors. It was probably nothing. He hoped that was true, but he knew that deep down trouble was on it's way to the shores of Colchis.
Daxos squeezed Calista and kissed her forehead, "I love you my little nymph." She giggled, dropped down, and ran back off to play with her cousin. It was at this moment he noticed another soldier slip into the forum. Daxos turned to him and nodded, motioning for him to come close.
The soldier quickly strode up to Daxos, "You're needed. Mission came down from the baron. You're to escort his mother to the coastal city of Nethisa." A strange request for sure, but Daxos nodded and the soldier left. He turned back to his daughter who was now staring up at him. He pulled her close and kissed her, "I must go to work my little nymph. I am not sure of when I will see you next. But know you're always in my heart." The little girl immediately started to cry. The sound of her sobbing pained him deeply as he turned and walked out the home.
It wasn't long before he arrived back at his small drab home, quickly donned his armor, and made his way to the baron's palace. He waited a few hours, and eventually, the Lady Periella came out, flanked by two more soldiers. She was led onto a small horse, which she slowly and painstakingly got onto, and without much word, they were off towards Nethisa. The first couple days passed without incident. It wasn't too far of a journey, a five day ride at the pace they were taking, and the other guards that were with them seemed not to care too much about the job. The Lady Periella was rumored to be losing her mind, and judging by the times her horse had wandered a bit off the path, egged on by her lack of attentiveness, Daxos often had to call out to her, which caused her to fix her horse and ride on.
It was the third night when the first incident happened. Daxos had taken the first watch. He lightly woke up his replacement, a young man named Cykos, and laid down to sleep. A couple hours later he was shaken awake by Cykos, "Daxos... She's gone!" Daxos immediately jumped up and look around the small clearing they had found. She was indeed not there. Her horse was still tied up, her bed roll and her belongings still in the clearing.
Immediately Daxos took charge, "Wake up you sorry sacks of shit!" The few remaining guards asleep groggily got up, "The lady has gone missing, and I suggest we find her before we all lose our heads! Now move!" The men all spread out through the area, looking into the small forested region nearby as Daxos began walking up the rocky crag on the opposite side of the clearing. It was an easy climb for him, but he had hoped the Lady had not tried to climb up through here. It was jagged and dangerous, and if she fell off the wrong way, she could have easily plummeted to her death. Ten minutes had passed as he looked for Lady Periella, he search getting ever more frantic. Eventually, he heard a voice down the rock crag, and he looked over the edge.
Down around six feet below, he finally found her, on a small rocky outcrop, looking terrified, "Hello? Help me..." Her voice was quiet and full of terror. He fell to the dirt and leaned over the side, "Lady Periella. Are you okay?" She looked up and nodded. "I slipped and fell." There was a bit of blood running down her arm, no doubt from some deep scratch she had received as she fell down.
"Wait here for one moment my lady." Daxos ran back and rallied the men, brought them back to Lady Periella, “Don't fret my lady,” his voice warm and reassuring, this woman reminded him of his own mother in her final years, “We'll get you up.” He turned to the other three men, “Grab my ankles and lower me down.” Moments later, he had her up.
“I'm glad your safe my lady. I'm sure the baron would have killed us if serious harm had befell you.” Daxos bowed once she was secure on the ground. Her mouth jerked slightly in what Daxos could assume as a smile from the lady.
“He would likely not, all Men of the Heights are important to him.” She sighed and slumped to the ground, “I went for a walk, my head has been racing all day.”
“Don't fret my lady, just remember next time to let us know. I would hate to see harm upon you. Let's rest up and prepare for the journey.” Daxos helped her to her feet and led her back to their camp for the night. After cleaning and wrapping the shallow cut on her arm, he laid down to sleep for the night.
-- Current day --
They had arrived the night previously safely, with no other issues the rest of the journey. Daxos spent the night in a brothel, in the company of a beautiful redheaded woman who was from somewhere up north, and when the day broke, he slid out after leaving his payment on the table next to her. He took the first step out, already dressed in his armor, clean and polished, and made his way to the manor at which Lady Periella had stayed.
After meeting up with her, he escorted her to the docks with the other three men, as she met up with her family. Daxos noticed that the baron had already arrived and nodded to him slightly, and stood loosely by the lady. After a few moments he noticed the crowd was starting to get riled up as the ship was getting pulled up, and his baron had directed him to stand guard closer to his mother. “Yes my lord.” He shifted his shield off of his back and stood at attention, keeping a close eye on all of those around him, making sure to push back any civilian who got to close to the lady and apologized to each of them.
It wasn't long after the ship had broke from under the water when the baron yelled for the men to help. Daxos turned to the other men keeping guard, “Stay with the lady. Do not let harm fall upon her.” He threw his shield back upon his shoulder, handed his spear to another soldier, and rushed forward, grabbing a rope and began to pull.
The ship was not easy to pull up, and Daxos strained heavily against the ropes, but he could tell it was coming up. With more help and effort, eventually the ship rose above the water, and the crest of the royal family had appeared. Daxos felt a pit in his stomach. The storm was in truth brewing. War would soon fall upon the nation of Colchis. The only thing he could think of at that moment was his daughter. He dropped the rope once it had been successfully beached, and noticed the Crown Prince jump on and into the hold. He moved back over to Lady Periella and her kind, took his spear back, and went back to keeping her safe.
Moments later the Crown Prince had climbed out of the hull and said four words which made the crowd silent. Daxos felt the pit drop in his stomach, indeed war was coming. He bowed his head in respect. If he still believed in the gods he may have offered a prayer, but he did not. He noticed the crowd had started to get more antsy than before, cries of denial and wails of those who felt the pain of Zanon.
Daxos called out to his lord, “Baron Timeaus,” he walked a few feet towards him, “Should I escort your family back to safety? The common folk may not react to this news too well and it'd be best to get her to a safer location. What is it you need of me my lord?” Daxos felt his words were cold, a defense mechanism he had learned through his few years of fight. His training took over, and he knew that it is possible Timaeus may see this as uncaring, but he had hoped his lord could sense that it was not.
–- A few days prior --
The day was bright and joyful. The sun high up in the sky as Daxos sat in the forum of his brother-in-law's home. His daughter Calista was running and giggling with her cousin, playing tag and other games children play. A warmth fell over Daxos as he looked on, a rare feeling of happiness that was always fleeting. She ran up to him, "Daddy! Spin!" she jumped up and wrapped her arms around his neck. He grabbed her up and spun her around rapidly, causing her to giggle. I wish this could last forever, he thought to himself, but he knew that soon he'd have to leave.
There had been rumors of war upon the horizon, a cold dark storm that could be felt brewing, tension from the captains and commanders. He had heard something about an abandoned ship being found off the coast of Nethisa and it had all of the aristocracy up in the air. Rumors of gold and wealth unlike any other, it was Charon's ship, or it was a Colchis vessel who's entire crew had been murdered. The speculation was wild, and it was starting to leak down to the simple folk, but Daxos tried his best not to put stock in such rumors. It was probably nothing. He hoped that was true, but he knew that deep down trouble was on it's way to the shores of Colchis.
Daxos squeezed Calista and kissed her forehead, "I love you my little nymph." She giggled, dropped down, and ran back off to play with her cousin. It was at this moment he noticed another soldier slip into the forum. Daxos turned to him and nodded, motioning for him to come close.
The soldier quickly strode up to Daxos, "You're needed. Mission came down from the baron. You're to escort his mother to the coastal city of Nethisa." A strange request for sure, but Daxos nodded and the soldier left. He turned back to his daughter who was now staring up at him. He pulled her close and kissed her, "I must go to work my little nymph. I am not sure of when I will see you next. But know you're always in my heart." The little girl immediately started to cry. The sound of her sobbing pained him deeply as he turned and walked out the home.
It wasn't long before he arrived back at his small drab home, quickly donned his armor, and made his way to the baron's palace. He waited a few hours, and eventually, the Lady Periella came out, flanked by two more soldiers. She was led onto a small horse, which she slowly and painstakingly got onto, and without much word, they were off towards Nethisa. The first couple days passed without incident. It wasn't too far of a journey, a five day ride at the pace they were taking, and the other guards that were with them seemed not to care too much about the job. The Lady Periella was rumored to be losing her mind, and judging by the times her horse had wandered a bit off the path, egged on by her lack of attentiveness, Daxos often had to call out to her, which caused her to fix her horse and ride on.
It was the third night when the first incident happened. Daxos had taken the first watch. He lightly woke up his replacement, a young man named Cykos, and laid down to sleep. A couple hours later he was shaken awake by Cykos, "Daxos... She's gone!" Daxos immediately jumped up and look around the small clearing they had found. She was indeed not there. Her horse was still tied up, her bed roll and her belongings still in the clearing.
Immediately Daxos took charge, "Wake up you sorry sacks of shit!" The few remaining guards asleep groggily got up, "The lady has gone missing, and I suggest we find her before we all lose our heads! Now move!" The men all spread out through the area, looking into the small forested region nearby as Daxos began walking up the rocky crag on the opposite side of the clearing. It was an easy climb for him, but he had hoped the Lady had not tried to climb up through here. It was jagged and dangerous, and if she fell off the wrong way, she could have easily plummeted to her death. Ten minutes had passed as he looked for Lady Periella, he search getting ever more frantic. Eventually, he heard a voice down the rock crag, and he looked over the edge.
Down around six feet below, he finally found her, on a small rocky outcrop, looking terrified, "Hello? Help me..." Her voice was quiet and full of terror. He fell to the dirt and leaned over the side, "Lady Periella. Are you okay?" She looked up and nodded. "I slipped and fell." There was a bit of blood running down her arm, no doubt from some deep scratch she had received as she fell down.
"Wait here for one moment my lady." Daxos ran back and rallied the men, brought them back to Lady Periella, “Don't fret my lady,” his voice warm and reassuring, this woman reminded him of his own mother in her final years, “We'll get you up.” He turned to the other three men, “Grab my ankles and lower me down.” Moments later, he had her up.
“I'm glad your safe my lady. I'm sure the baron would have killed us if serious harm had befell you.” Daxos bowed once she was secure on the ground. Her mouth jerked slightly in what Daxos could assume as a smile from the lady.
“He would likely not, all Men of the Heights are important to him.” She sighed and slumped to the ground, “I went for a walk, my head has been racing all day.”
“Don't fret my lady, just remember next time to let us know. I would hate to see harm upon you. Let's rest up and prepare for the journey.” Daxos helped her to her feet and led her back to their camp for the night. After cleaning and wrapping the shallow cut on her arm, he laid down to sleep for the night.
-- Current day --
They had arrived the night previously safely, with no other issues the rest of the journey. Daxos spent the night in a brothel, in the company of a beautiful redheaded woman who was from somewhere up north, and when the day broke, he slid out after leaving his payment on the table next to her. He took the first step out, already dressed in his armor, clean and polished, and made his way to the manor at which Lady Periella had stayed.
After meeting up with her, he escorted her to the docks with the other three men, as she met up with her family. Daxos noticed that the baron had already arrived and nodded to him slightly, and stood loosely by the lady. After a few moments he noticed the crowd was starting to get riled up as the ship was getting pulled up, and his baron had directed him to stand guard closer to his mother. “Yes my lord.” He shifted his shield off of his back and stood at attention, keeping a close eye on all of those around him, making sure to push back any civilian who got to close to the lady and apologized to each of them.
It wasn't long after the ship had broke from under the water when the baron yelled for the men to help. Daxos turned to the other men keeping guard, “Stay with the lady. Do not let harm fall upon her.” He threw his shield back upon his shoulder, handed his spear to another soldier, and rushed forward, grabbing a rope and began to pull.
The ship was not easy to pull up, and Daxos strained heavily against the ropes, but he could tell it was coming up. With more help and effort, eventually the ship rose above the water, and the crest of the royal family had appeared. Daxos felt a pit in his stomach. The storm was in truth brewing. War would soon fall upon the nation of Colchis. The only thing he could think of at that moment was his daughter. He dropped the rope once it had been successfully beached, and noticed the Crown Prince jump on and into the hold. He moved back over to Lady Periella and her kind, took his spear back, and went back to keeping her safe.
Moments later the Crown Prince had climbed out of the hull and said four words which made the crowd silent. Daxos felt the pit drop in his stomach, indeed war was coming. He bowed his head in respect. If he still believed in the gods he may have offered a prayer, but he did not. He noticed the crowd had started to get more antsy than before, cries of denial and wails of those who felt the pain of Zanon.
Daxos called out to his lord, “Baron Timeaus,” he walked a few feet towards him, “Should I escort your family back to safety? The common folk may not react to this news too well and it'd be best to get her to a safer location. What is it you need of me my lord?” Daxos felt his words were cold, a defense mechanism he had learned through his few years of fight. His training took over, and he knew that it is possible Timaeus may see this as uncaring, but he had hoped his lord could sense that it was not.
Roxana had fought with the urge not to go follow her cousin to what would be a boring day on the beach and the inevitable discovery that their good were lost. That was all money, business, politics, boring stuff she would have to stay awake for even as she was actively kept out of it.
The horse was readied though, and she realized how stupid she was being. If she wanted to be a part of the family, she must participate in the boring as well as the exciting. Tim would be upset at the loss and she could at least be there for him. Her bitterness toward him was not even his fault, it was his father's and it was high time that she drop the attitude of anger and resentment toward the young man who had enough on his shoulders as it was and he didn't need her abandoning him in hard times.
Sighing, she pulled the horse to her side with a annoyed yank and it jerked its head away, resistant to her roughness. Still too much attitude, she thought, taking a breath and letting her anger go. She patted the horse this time, spoke to him kindly and his mutiny disappeared and he was tamer. Mounting, she pulled the reins in, but gave him his head. She knew this horse to be steady and sure footed and she gave him some trust. Her escort led the way.
The beach was absolutely flooded with people and Roxana looked around, her mouth open for a moment before she saw some of the royal family from her perch atop the gelding, they were nearer to where the ship was now beached, still a good distance away. Snapping it shut again, she realized that she couldn't charge her horse through the crowd and knew she would have to look for Timeaus on foot. Walking around the crowd, hoping to spot him, she heard things like "royal crest' and 'attack'.
Finally, she tapped a young man, "What has happened?" She asked him.
"It's the ship. Mutiny on board and the king fought them off." He said excitedly and Roxana moved on.
She asked another and got "The king sunk his own ship to fake his death, stole all the goods and ran away."
Sighing, she heard another tall tale of pirate attacking them and the king being dead. But then she heard it again. "Pirates attacked the ship, attacked our king." It became the main whisper as she wandered through the crowd.
Pirates. Dead. Royal crest. Royal ship. King dead.
This was definitely not the boring day Roxana had predicted.
Finally, she saw Tim in the distance, nearer to the ship itself and knew instinctively that by his side was no place for her now. All she could do was head back to the horses and wait for him.
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Roxana had fought with the urge not to go follow her cousin to what would be a boring day on the beach and the inevitable discovery that their good were lost. That was all money, business, politics, boring stuff she would have to stay awake for even as she was actively kept out of it.
The horse was readied though, and she realized how stupid she was being. If she wanted to be a part of the family, she must participate in the boring as well as the exciting. Tim would be upset at the loss and she could at least be there for him. Her bitterness toward him was not even his fault, it was his father's and it was high time that she drop the attitude of anger and resentment toward the young man who had enough on his shoulders as it was and he didn't need her abandoning him in hard times.
Sighing, she pulled the horse to her side with a annoyed yank and it jerked its head away, resistant to her roughness. Still too much attitude, she thought, taking a breath and letting her anger go. She patted the horse this time, spoke to him kindly and his mutiny disappeared and he was tamer. Mounting, she pulled the reins in, but gave him his head. She knew this horse to be steady and sure footed and she gave him some trust. Her escort led the way.
The beach was absolutely flooded with people and Roxana looked around, her mouth open for a moment before she saw some of the royal family from her perch atop the gelding, they were nearer to where the ship was now beached, still a good distance away. Snapping it shut again, she realized that she couldn't charge her horse through the crowd and knew she would have to look for Timeaus on foot. Walking around the crowd, hoping to spot him, she heard things like "royal crest' and 'attack'.
Finally, she tapped a young man, "What has happened?" She asked him.
"It's the ship. Mutiny on board and the king fought them off." He said excitedly and Roxana moved on.
She asked another and got "The king sunk his own ship to fake his death, stole all the goods and ran away."
Sighing, she heard another tall tale of pirate attacking them and the king being dead. But then she heard it again. "Pirates attacked the ship, attacked our king." It became the main whisper as she wandered through the crowd.
Pirates. Dead. Royal crest. Royal ship. King dead.
This was definitely not the boring day Roxana had predicted.
Finally, she saw Tim in the distance, nearer to the ship itself and knew instinctively that by his side was no place for her now. All she could do was head back to the horses and wait for him.
Roxana had fought with the urge not to go follow her cousin to what would be a boring day on the beach and the inevitable discovery that their good were lost. That was all money, business, politics, boring stuff she would have to stay awake for even as she was actively kept out of it.
The horse was readied though, and she realized how stupid she was being. If she wanted to be a part of the family, she must participate in the boring as well as the exciting. Tim would be upset at the loss and she could at least be there for him. Her bitterness toward him was not even his fault, it was his father's and it was high time that she drop the attitude of anger and resentment toward the young man who had enough on his shoulders as it was and he didn't need her abandoning him in hard times.
Sighing, she pulled the horse to her side with a annoyed yank and it jerked its head away, resistant to her roughness. Still too much attitude, she thought, taking a breath and letting her anger go. She patted the horse this time, spoke to him kindly and his mutiny disappeared and he was tamer. Mounting, she pulled the reins in, but gave him his head. She knew this horse to be steady and sure footed and she gave him some trust. Her escort led the way.
The beach was absolutely flooded with people and Roxana looked around, her mouth open for a moment before she saw some of the royal family from her perch atop the gelding, they were nearer to where the ship was now beached, still a good distance away. Snapping it shut again, she realized that she couldn't charge her horse through the crowd and knew she would have to look for Timeaus on foot. Walking around the crowd, hoping to spot him, she heard things like "royal crest' and 'attack'.
Finally, she tapped a young man, "What has happened?" She asked him.
"It's the ship. Mutiny on board and the king fought them off." He said excitedly and Roxana moved on.
She asked another and got "The king sunk his own ship to fake his death, stole all the goods and ran away."
Sighing, she heard another tall tale of pirate attacking them and the king being dead. But then she heard it again. "Pirates attacked the ship, attacked our king." It became the main whisper as she wandered through the crowd.
Pirates. Dead. Royal crest. Royal ship. King dead.
This was definitely not the boring day Roxana had predicted.
Finally, she saw Tim in the distance, nearer to the ship itself and knew instinctively that by his side was no place for her now. All she could do was head back to the horses and wait for him.
With the ships nature revealed, the questions that were left were whispered among the crowds who had gathered, each person having a theory of their own on what happened, each guess as good as the next. The physical work here had been done, and that was really Maleos' specialty. He wasn't incapable of further investigation himself, but he knew that there were better minds than his own that would be focusing their efforts on this, being that it was the King's ship, he knew that there would be immense effort put into the investigation.
He made his way down off the ship, and began to weave his way through the crowds, making his way back over to where he had left his horse upon arrival. He pat the beast on the snout, after careening off the cliff side due to riding an un-bonded horse all those years ago, Maleos refused to ride a horse that he had not worked with for at minimum a year. He had this one for a few years now, a sturdy and rugged animal, it had served him well.
He climbed up, situating himself atop the saddle, he took the reigns in his hand and looked over the crowd for just a moment. He could see Timaeus speaking with Zanon, and he knew it was not his place to approach them at this time. They would surely be discussing what needed to be done now, what their next steps were. Instead Maleos sat atop his horse, waiting for a command from Timaeus before he would make any moves. He would not make any assumptions on what he would be asked to do. Instead he waited, ever the loyal friend and Captain, ready to do what ever was needed.
He wasn't sure how much he could offer, other than his combat skills if needed, and the numbers of his men who would be waiting on what ever command their Captain would issue them. He tried not to let his mind get ahead of itself, he knew he could do nothing other than wait at the moment. Patience was never one of Maleos' strengths, and his anxious feelings were causing his horse to snort and shuffle a bit. He put a hand on the animal's neck, trying to calm himself and the horse at the same time as he kept his eyes locked on Timaeus for any sign of what he might want his friend to do.
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With the ships nature revealed, the questions that were left were whispered among the crowds who had gathered, each person having a theory of their own on what happened, each guess as good as the next. The physical work here had been done, and that was really Maleos' specialty. He wasn't incapable of further investigation himself, but he knew that there were better minds than his own that would be focusing their efforts on this, being that it was the King's ship, he knew that there would be immense effort put into the investigation.
He made his way down off the ship, and began to weave his way through the crowds, making his way back over to where he had left his horse upon arrival. He pat the beast on the snout, after careening off the cliff side due to riding an un-bonded horse all those years ago, Maleos refused to ride a horse that he had not worked with for at minimum a year. He had this one for a few years now, a sturdy and rugged animal, it had served him well.
He climbed up, situating himself atop the saddle, he took the reigns in his hand and looked over the crowd for just a moment. He could see Timaeus speaking with Zanon, and he knew it was not his place to approach them at this time. They would surely be discussing what needed to be done now, what their next steps were. Instead Maleos sat atop his horse, waiting for a command from Timaeus before he would make any moves. He would not make any assumptions on what he would be asked to do. Instead he waited, ever the loyal friend and Captain, ready to do what ever was needed.
He wasn't sure how much he could offer, other than his combat skills if needed, and the numbers of his men who would be waiting on what ever command their Captain would issue them. He tried not to let his mind get ahead of itself, he knew he could do nothing other than wait at the moment. Patience was never one of Maleos' strengths, and his anxious feelings were causing his horse to snort and shuffle a bit. He put a hand on the animal's neck, trying to calm himself and the horse at the same time as he kept his eyes locked on Timaeus for any sign of what he might want his friend to do.
With the ships nature revealed, the questions that were left were whispered among the crowds who had gathered, each person having a theory of their own on what happened, each guess as good as the next. The physical work here had been done, and that was really Maleos' specialty. He wasn't incapable of further investigation himself, but he knew that there were better minds than his own that would be focusing their efforts on this, being that it was the King's ship, he knew that there would be immense effort put into the investigation.
He made his way down off the ship, and began to weave his way through the crowds, making his way back over to where he had left his horse upon arrival. He pat the beast on the snout, after careening off the cliff side due to riding an un-bonded horse all those years ago, Maleos refused to ride a horse that he had not worked with for at minimum a year. He had this one for a few years now, a sturdy and rugged animal, it had served him well.
He climbed up, situating himself atop the saddle, he took the reigns in his hand and looked over the crowd for just a moment. He could see Timaeus speaking with Zanon, and he knew it was not his place to approach them at this time. They would surely be discussing what needed to be done now, what their next steps were. Instead Maleos sat atop his horse, waiting for a command from Timaeus before he would make any moves. He would not make any assumptions on what he would be asked to do. Instead he waited, ever the loyal friend and Captain, ready to do what ever was needed.
He wasn't sure how much he could offer, other than his combat skills if needed, and the numbers of his men who would be waiting on what ever command their Captain would issue them. He tried not to let his mind get ahead of itself, he knew he could do nothing other than wait at the moment. Patience was never one of Maleos' strengths, and his anxious feelings were causing his horse to snort and shuffle a bit. He put a hand on the animal's neck, trying to calm himself and the horse at the same time as he kept his eyes locked on Timaeus for any sign of what he might want his friend to do.
Zanon couldn't focus his thoughts, swirling about his mind at a pace too fast to properly decide what he ought to do first. He had to gather his family, get them out of Thanasi territory and back to the capitol quickly, make sure his mother and brothers were secure and home as well, he had to send word to Vangelis to come home, if he hadn't already set sail. A coronation would have to be planned for as soon as he landed, and somehow they had to get his father's body back home. And through all of that he had to make sure he stayed alive. Until Vang returned he was the only person standing between a Thanasi and the throne, or a Thanasi puppet. His eyes found his wife and son up on the hill, surrounded even now by her relatives and his gaze darkened even as Timaeus pledged his support.
With a slight nod, he acknowledged that the baron was right. He had to tell everyone assembled what he had seen and found in the bowels of that ship, but first he had to put in place a plan. His young cousin Essa was here, and his aunt would be somewhere nearby, and he had to get to Evras and Dion.
"Find my aunt and cousin, get them and yourself back on my ship and wait. I would have you and your people return to Midas with me."
After he received acknowledgement that his instructions would be carried out the second prince, no....he couldn't be called that any longer. He was the crown prince. His grip on the crown tightened and he could feel the metal bite into his hand, a stinging pain that was a welcome distraction from the hurt that gripped his heart and a reminder that he had to be strong. He couldn't cry, couldn't lose his composure in front of so many assembled Colchians. They needed to see now more than ever how strong their rulers were. Blood was dripping from his fist by the time he made it back up the hill, and he didn't loosen his grip even as he swung himself back up behind his wife silently.
Only once he was settled atop his mount once again did he turn to the gathered crowd, taking in a deep breath before speaking and lifting the crown for all to see.
"The king is dead. Long live King Vangelis."
With his comment he was openly claiming the throne for his brother, not himself as many other royal brothers might have in the past when the eldest was out of the country. This was something he had never wanted, and since marrying Evras he had wanted it even less. With a quick instruction to the guard that stood beside them to gather his son and return to the docks, he took the reins of his warhorse and set off at a quick clip towards the ship that would take them to Midas. They had to move quickly to ensure that the throne was secure and strong still when Vangelis returned, and he wanted to be as far from the Thanasi as he could until that time.
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Zanon couldn't focus his thoughts, swirling about his mind at a pace too fast to properly decide what he ought to do first. He had to gather his family, get them out of Thanasi territory and back to the capitol quickly, make sure his mother and brothers were secure and home as well, he had to send word to Vangelis to come home, if he hadn't already set sail. A coronation would have to be planned for as soon as he landed, and somehow they had to get his father's body back home. And through all of that he had to make sure he stayed alive. Until Vang returned he was the only person standing between a Thanasi and the throne, or a Thanasi puppet. His eyes found his wife and son up on the hill, surrounded even now by her relatives and his gaze darkened even as Timaeus pledged his support.
With a slight nod, he acknowledged that the baron was right. He had to tell everyone assembled what he had seen and found in the bowels of that ship, but first he had to put in place a plan. His young cousin Essa was here, and his aunt would be somewhere nearby, and he had to get to Evras and Dion.
"Find my aunt and cousin, get them and yourself back on my ship and wait. I would have you and your people return to Midas with me."
After he received acknowledgement that his instructions would be carried out the second prince, no....he couldn't be called that any longer. He was the crown prince. His grip on the crown tightened and he could feel the metal bite into his hand, a stinging pain that was a welcome distraction from the hurt that gripped his heart and a reminder that he had to be strong. He couldn't cry, couldn't lose his composure in front of so many assembled Colchians. They needed to see now more than ever how strong their rulers were. Blood was dripping from his fist by the time he made it back up the hill, and he didn't loosen his grip even as he swung himself back up behind his wife silently.
Only once he was settled atop his mount once again did he turn to the gathered crowd, taking in a deep breath before speaking and lifting the crown for all to see.
"The king is dead. Long live King Vangelis."
With his comment he was openly claiming the throne for his brother, not himself as many other royal brothers might have in the past when the eldest was out of the country. This was something he had never wanted, and since marrying Evras he had wanted it even less. With a quick instruction to the guard that stood beside them to gather his son and return to the docks, he took the reins of his warhorse and set off at a quick clip towards the ship that would take them to Midas. They had to move quickly to ensure that the throne was secure and strong still when Vangelis returned, and he wanted to be as far from the Thanasi as he could until that time.
Zanon couldn't focus his thoughts, swirling about his mind at a pace too fast to properly decide what he ought to do first. He had to gather his family, get them out of Thanasi territory and back to the capitol quickly, make sure his mother and brothers were secure and home as well, he had to send word to Vangelis to come home, if he hadn't already set sail. A coronation would have to be planned for as soon as he landed, and somehow they had to get his father's body back home. And through all of that he had to make sure he stayed alive. Until Vang returned he was the only person standing between a Thanasi and the throne, or a Thanasi puppet. His eyes found his wife and son up on the hill, surrounded even now by her relatives and his gaze darkened even as Timaeus pledged his support.
With a slight nod, he acknowledged that the baron was right. He had to tell everyone assembled what he had seen and found in the bowels of that ship, but first he had to put in place a plan. His young cousin Essa was here, and his aunt would be somewhere nearby, and he had to get to Evras and Dion.
"Find my aunt and cousin, get them and yourself back on my ship and wait. I would have you and your people return to Midas with me."
After he received acknowledgement that his instructions would be carried out the second prince, no....he couldn't be called that any longer. He was the crown prince. His grip on the crown tightened and he could feel the metal bite into his hand, a stinging pain that was a welcome distraction from the hurt that gripped his heart and a reminder that he had to be strong. He couldn't cry, couldn't lose his composure in front of so many assembled Colchians. They needed to see now more than ever how strong their rulers were. Blood was dripping from his fist by the time he made it back up the hill, and he didn't loosen his grip even as he swung himself back up behind his wife silently.
Only once he was settled atop his mount once again did he turn to the gathered crowd, taking in a deep breath before speaking and lifting the crown for all to see.
"The king is dead. Long live King Vangelis."
With his comment he was openly claiming the throne for his brother, not himself as many other royal brothers might have in the past when the eldest was out of the country. This was something he had never wanted, and since marrying Evras he had wanted it even less. With a quick instruction to the guard that stood beside them to gather his son and return to the docks, he took the reins of his warhorse and set off at a quick clip towards the ship that would take them to Midas. They had to move quickly to ensure that the throne was secure and strong still when Vangelis returned, and he wanted to be as far from the Thanasi as he could until that time.
Even though the new Crown Prince was attempting to appear to be formidable and strong, Timaeus could see the subtle cracks beginning to form in Zanon’s facade. How could he not? After all, the young Baron had stood in the crown prince’s shoes twice before; once for his father and his brother. The Valaoritis was far too familiar with the way Zanon was drawn into an uneasy silence, accompanied by an empty expression as the man was lost within his churning thoughts. The baron knew as well as anyone that he needed time to process and the best that Timaeus could do was reassure him that the Valaoritis would stand by his side in this time of turmoil on both a personal and political scale.
Following the prince’s darkened gaze though, the Valaoritis man was not surprised to see that it had settled on the Thanasi clan. The family had not been subtle in their desires to see one of their own on the throne in recent years and it certainly did not bode well for anyone that the King’s body had been recovered within their province. It certainly was not out of the realm of possibility in Tim’s mind that they were somehow responsible for the tragedy that had occurred here. After all, they had the most to gain from the death of a king. As long as Vangelis was out of the country, the throne would remain empty and ripe for being usurped by the snakes to install their puppet king… and they had the perfect candidate in Zanon’s half-Thanasi boy. Nethis would be a fool to not consider making a move like this. Not when the only thing that stood between her and her family’s greatest dream was Prince Zanon himself.
If the throne was to be secure for Vangelis, the Kotas family would need to put as much distance between little Dion and his scheming relatives as possible.
That much was clear to Timaeus and it appeared to be on the forefront of Zanon’s mind as well. “ Of course.” The Baron said with a simple nod as the other man ordered him to collect the Drakos women and escort them swiftly away from the beaches. He didn’t fail to notice that the Thanasis was not included in this order, much to Timaeus’s relief. It was safe for him to assume that they wouldn’t be invited onboard either, giving Zanon and his son a considerable head start to return to Midas. “ We will be ready to set sail before the hour is gone.” Timaeus promised before the men parted ways; Timaeus to collect the Prince’s blood relatives and the other man to inform the crowd of the king’s death.
By the time Timaeus had reached and mounted his steed, the Prince had shared the news with the crowd. His words almost had a ripple effect through the crowd and even Timaeus joined in the echoed reply back to the prince. “ Long live King Vangelis!” His words were lost in the din of noise as everyone reacted to the news, but Timaeus did not care. He tried to tune it all out as he scanned the crowd for any sign of Lady Essa or Lady Tythra. Finding them was far more important than listening to the rumor mill and it required the entirety of his attention.
He was so laser-focused on the task at hand that he hardly noticed one of the soldiers assigned to bring his mother to Nethisa approach him. The sound of his name startled him out of his thoughts, calling him to focus on the man asking for orders. “Escort my mother to the docks. Send the other men ahead to secure the route. Move with haste and tell no one of your destination. Then await further instructions from either myself or Captain Maleos.” Timaeus said quickly and with a tone that made it clear that the strangeness of such a demand was not to be questioned. After all, he had little doubt that Daxos would question why they would not return to their accommodations or why they needed to do so in such a hurried manner. There was no time for answering such questions though, at least not now. “ Am I clear?”
As he waited for verbal confirmation of his orders, Timaeus spied the younger of his charges’ on the other side of the crowd. Once he was sure that it was Essa of Drakos that he had seen, he nudged his heels into the side of Thrasos and took off across the sand, leaving poor Daxos in the dust to fulfill the Baron’s orders.
It didn’t take long for Timaeus to cross the sand and before he even dismounted, he could see that the young girl was not alone. His younger brother had taken it upon himself to track down the Drakos women as well… even though Timaeus had been very clear in his instructions that morning that Sil was to come nowhere near the beach. Not while Zanon and Evras were nearby. The sheer insolence was enough to draw a scowl onto the baron’s face as he approached the pair, but he quickly hid it as he noticed how upset the girl was and how Silanos was attempting to comfort her. It was almost enough to bring him to a pause, unsure of how to deal with a child who was in near hysterics and the trouble-making brother who should not be near her… but he had a job to do. Timaeus needed to make sure that she got to the boat as quickly as possible. There she would at least find comfort in the reassuring embraces of Princess Evras and her mother, who would remind her that her sister had not been on the boat as she feared.
“ Lady Essa,” Timaeus said gently as he approached her, almost as if she was a wounded animal. For the moment he ignored his brother’s presence as he did not know if he could hold his temper, “ I’m Timaeus of Valaoritis, the baron of Eubocris.” He said as a curt introduction before continuing, “ Prince Zanon asked me to escort you and your mother away from the beach. Do you know where she is?” He then reached one his hand towards her for her to take, his expression softening as he caught the frightened child’s gaze. There was a nervousness to him though as he was unsure of how the girl would respond. Dealing with other’s emotions like this was not one of Timaeus’s strengths. It never had been and never will. However, he could try at least and the last thing he needed was an already upset girl panicking even more.
That would be a difficult thing for him to do with Silanos around though as the boy’s mere presence was making the Baron’s blood boil. He would have to be dealt with quickly, lest he blows up in front of the Drakos girl. “ Silanos,” The baron said as he turned towards his brother, calling for the young man’s attention while trying to keep an even tone to keep Essa calm, “Thank you for helping the Lady, but I need you to hurry and find your sister.”
He paused for a moment then as his voice dropped lower in tone so that anyone beyond the three of them could not hear the baron’s words, “ You find her and then go straight to Maleos. All three of you are to head to the docks immediately. Do not return to the manor and move with speed. Once there, find Mother and board the waiting Kotas vessel. We are to set sail for Midas within the hour. This is not the time for any of your tomfoolery, do you understand me?” His eyes glanced back at the girl with them, knowing full well that she would be questioning this plan, but hopefully, Silanos had enough sense to understand that this was not the time to test the rules Timaeus was laying out. The boy would have to know that this was serious with the mention of the Kotas ship and the fact that Silanos would have to be there. It would be a quick exit for the three families with the closest ties to the crown and it needed to be pulled off without a hitch to keep the crowd from reacting poorly. This was not the time for Sil to create trouble or ask too many questions.
But then again, this was his brother that they were talking about. Such a task would take nothing less than a miracle.
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Even though the new Crown Prince was attempting to appear to be formidable and strong, Timaeus could see the subtle cracks beginning to form in Zanon’s facade. How could he not? After all, the young Baron had stood in the crown prince’s shoes twice before; once for his father and his brother. The Valaoritis was far too familiar with the way Zanon was drawn into an uneasy silence, accompanied by an empty expression as the man was lost within his churning thoughts. The baron knew as well as anyone that he needed time to process and the best that Timaeus could do was reassure him that the Valaoritis would stand by his side in this time of turmoil on both a personal and political scale.
Following the prince’s darkened gaze though, the Valaoritis man was not surprised to see that it had settled on the Thanasi clan. The family had not been subtle in their desires to see one of their own on the throne in recent years and it certainly did not bode well for anyone that the King’s body had been recovered within their province. It certainly was not out of the realm of possibility in Tim’s mind that they were somehow responsible for the tragedy that had occurred here. After all, they had the most to gain from the death of a king. As long as Vangelis was out of the country, the throne would remain empty and ripe for being usurped by the snakes to install their puppet king… and they had the perfect candidate in Zanon’s half-Thanasi boy. Nethis would be a fool to not consider making a move like this. Not when the only thing that stood between her and her family’s greatest dream was Prince Zanon himself.
If the throne was to be secure for Vangelis, the Kotas family would need to put as much distance between little Dion and his scheming relatives as possible.
That much was clear to Timaeus and it appeared to be on the forefront of Zanon’s mind as well. “ Of course.” The Baron said with a simple nod as the other man ordered him to collect the Drakos women and escort them swiftly away from the beaches. He didn’t fail to notice that the Thanasis was not included in this order, much to Timaeus’s relief. It was safe for him to assume that they wouldn’t be invited onboard either, giving Zanon and his son a considerable head start to return to Midas. “ We will be ready to set sail before the hour is gone.” Timaeus promised before the men parted ways; Timaeus to collect the Prince’s blood relatives and the other man to inform the crowd of the king’s death.
By the time Timaeus had reached and mounted his steed, the Prince had shared the news with the crowd. His words almost had a ripple effect through the crowd and even Timaeus joined in the echoed reply back to the prince. “ Long live King Vangelis!” His words were lost in the din of noise as everyone reacted to the news, but Timaeus did not care. He tried to tune it all out as he scanned the crowd for any sign of Lady Essa or Lady Tythra. Finding them was far more important than listening to the rumor mill and it required the entirety of his attention.
He was so laser-focused on the task at hand that he hardly noticed one of the soldiers assigned to bring his mother to Nethisa approach him. The sound of his name startled him out of his thoughts, calling him to focus on the man asking for orders. “Escort my mother to the docks. Send the other men ahead to secure the route. Move with haste and tell no one of your destination. Then await further instructions from either myself or Captain Maleos.” Timaeus said quickly and with a tone that made it clear that the strangeness of such a demand was not to be questioned. After all, he had little doubt that Daxos would question why they would not return to their accommodations or why they needed to do so in such a hurried manner. There was no time for answering such questions though, at least not now. “ Am I clear?”
As he waited for verbal confirmation of his orders, Timaeus spied the younger of his charges’ on the other side of the crowd. Once he was sure that it was Essa of Drakos that he had seen, he nudged his heels into the side of Thrasos and took off across the sand, leaving poor Daxos in the dust to fulfill the Baron’s orders.
It didn’t take long for Timaeus to cross the sand and before he even dismounted, he could see that the young girl was not alone. His younger brother had taken it upon himself to track down the Drakos women as well… even though Timaeus had been very clear in his instructions that morning that Sil was to come nowhere near the beach. Not while Zanon and Evras were nearby. The sheer insolence was enough to draw a scowl onto the baron’s face as he approached the pair, but he quickly hid it as he noticed how upset the girl was and how Silanos was attempting to comfort her. It was almost enough to bring him to a pause, unsure of how to deal with a child who was in near hysterics and the trouble-making brother who should not be near her… but he had a job to do. Timaeus needed to make sure that she got to the boat as quickly as possible. There she would at least find comfort in the reassuring embraces of Princess Evras and her mother, who would remind her that her sister had not been on the boat as she feared.
“ Lady Essa,” Timaeus said gently as he approached her, almost as if she was a wounded animal. For the moment he ignored his brother’s presence as he did not know if he could hold his temper, “ I’m Timaeus of Valaoritis, the baron of Eubocris.” He said as a curt introduction before continuing, “ Prince Zanon asked me to escort you and your mother away from the beach. Do you know where she is?” He then reached one his hand towards her for her to take, his expression softening as he caught the frightened child’s gaze. There was a nervousness to him though as he was unsure of how the girl would respond. Dealing with other’s emotions like this was not one of Timaeus’s strengths. It never had been and never will. However, he could try at least and the last thing he needed was an already upset girl panicking even more.
That would be a difficult thing for him to do with Silanos around though as the boy’s mere presence was making the Baron’s blood boil. He would have to be dealt with quickly, lest he blows up in front of the Drakos girl. “ Silanos,” The baron said as he turned towards his brother, calling for the young man’s attention while trying to keep an even tone to keep Essa calm, “Thank you for helping the Lady, but I need you to hurry and find your sister.”
He paused for a moment then as his voice dropped lower in tone so that anyone beyond the three of them could not hear the baron’s words, “ You find her and then go straight to Maleos. All three of you are to head to the docks immediately. Do not return to the manor and move with speed. Once there, find Mother and board the waiting Kotas vessel. We are to set sail for Midas within the hour. This is not the time for any of your tomfoolery, do you understand me?” His eyes glanced back at the girl with them, knowing full well that she would be questioning this plan, but hopefully, Silanos had enough sense to understand that this was not the time to test the rules Timaeus was laying out. The boy would have to know that this was serious with the mention of the Kotas ship and the fact that Silanos would have to be there. It would be a quick exit for the three families with the closest ties to the crown and it needed to be pulled off without a hitch to keep the crowd from reacting poorly. This was not the time for Sil to create trouble or ask too many questions.
But then again, this was his brother that they were talking about. Such a task would take nothing less than a miracle.
Even though the new Crown Prince was attempting to appear to be formidable and strong, Timaeus could see the subtle cracks beginning to form in Zanon’s facade. How could he not? After all, the young Baron had stood in the crown prince’s shoes twice before; once for his father and his brother. The Valaoritis was far too familiar with the way Zanon was drawn into an uneasy silence, accompanied by an empty expression as the man was lost within his churning thoughts. The baron knew as well as anyone that he needed time to process and the best that Timaeus could do was reassure him that the Valaoritis would stand by his side in this time of turmoil on both a personal and political scale.
Following the prince’s darkened gaze though, the Valaoritis man was not surprised to see that it had settled on the Thanasi clan. The family had not been subtle in their desires to see one of their own on the throne in recent years and it certainly did not bode well for anyone that the King’s body had been recovered within their province. It certainly was not out of the realm of possibility in Tim’s mind that they were somehow responsible for the tragedy that had occurred here. After all, they had the most to gain from the death of a king. As long as Vangelis was out of the country, the throne would remain empty and ripe for being usurped by the snakes to install their puppet king… and they had the perfect candidate in Zanon’s half-Thanasi boy. Nethis would be a fool to not consider making a move like this. Not when the only thing that stood between her and her family’s greatest dream was Prince Zanon himself.
If the throne was to be secure for Vangelis, the Kotas family would need to put as much distance between little Dion and his scheming relatives as possible.
That much was clear to Timaeus and it appeared to be on the forefront of Zanon’s mind as well. “ Of course.” The Baron said with a simple nod as the other man ordered him to collect the Drakos women and escort them swiftly away from the beaches. He didn’t fail to notice that the Thanasis was not included in this order, much to Timaeus’s relief. It was safe for him to assume that they wouldn’t be invited onboard either, giving Zanon and his son a considerable head start to return to Midas. “ We will be ready to set sail before the hour is gone.” Timaeus promised before the men parted ways; Timaeus to collect the Prince’s blood relatives and the other man to inform the crowd of the king’s death.
By the time Timaeus had reached and mounted his steed, the Prince had shared the news with the crowd. His words almost had a ripple effect through the crowd and even Timaeus joined in the echoed reply back to the prince. “ Long live King Vangelis!” His words were lost in the din of noise as everyone reacted to the news, but Timaeus did not care. He tried to tune it all out as he scanned the crowd for any sign of Lady Essa or Lady Tythra. Finding them was far more important than listening to the rumor mill and it required the entirety of his attention.
He was so laser-focused on the task at hand that he hardly noticed one of the soldiers assigned to bring his mother to Nethisa approach him. The sound of his name startled him out of his thoughts, calling him to focus on the man asking for orders. “Escort my mother to the docks. Send the other men ahead to secure the route. Move with haste and tell no one of your destination. Then await further instructions from either myself or Captain Maleos.” Timaeus said quickly and with a tone that made it clear that the strangeness of such a demand was not to be questioned. After all, he had little doubt that Daxos would question why they would not return to their accommodations or why they needed to do so in such a hurried manner. There was no time for answering such questions though, at least not now. “ Am I clear?”
As he waited for verbal confirmation of his orders, Timaeus spied the younger of his charges’ on the other side of the crowd. Once he was sure that it was Essa of Drakos that he had seen, he nudged his heels into the side of Thrasos and took off across the sand, leaving poor Daxos in the dust to fulfill the Baron’s orders.
It didn’t take long for Timaeus to cross the sand and before he even dismounted, he could see that the young girl was not alone. His younger brother had taken it upon himself to track down the Drakos women as well… even though Timaeus had been very clear in his instructions that morning that Sil was to come nowhere near the beach. Not while Zanon and Evras were nearby. The sheer insolence was enough to draw a scowl onto the baron’s face as he approached the pair, but he quickly hid it as he noticed how upset the girl was and how Silanos was attempting to comfort her. It was almost enough to bring him to a pause, unsure of how to deal with a child who was in near hysterics and the trouble-making brother who should not be near her… but he had a job to do. Timaeus needed to make sure that she got to the boat as quickly as possible. There she would at least find comfort in the reassuring embraces of Princess Evras and her mother, who would remind her that her sister had not been on the boat as she feared.
“ Lady Essa,” Timaeus said gently as he approached her, almost as if she was a wounded animal. For the moment he ignored his brother’s presence as he did not know if he could hold his temper, “ I’m Timaeus of Valaoritis, the baron of Eubocris.” He said as a curt introduction before continuing, “ Prince Zanon asked me to escort you and your mother away from the beach. Do you know where she is?” He then reached one his hand towards her for her to take, his expression softening as he caught the frightened child’s gaze. There was a nervousness to him though as he was unsure of how the girl would respond. Dealing with other’s emotions like this was not one of Timaeus’s strengths. It never had been and never will. However, he could try at least and the last thing he needed was an already upset girl panicking even more.
That would be a difficult thing for him to do with Silanos around though as the boy’s mere presence was making the Baron’s blood boil. He would have to be dealt with quickly, lest he blows up in front of the Drakos girl. “ Silanos,” The baron said as he turned towards his brother, calling for the young man’s attention while trying to keep an even tone to keep Essa calm, “Thank you for helping the Lady, but I need you to hurry and find your sister.”
He paused for a moment then as his voice dropped lower in tone so that anyone beyond the three of them could not hear the baron’s words, “ You find her and then go straight to Maleos. All three of you are to head to the docks immediately. Do not return to the manor and move with speed. Once there, find Mother and board the waiting Kotas vessel. We are to set sail for Midas within the hour. This is not the time for any of your tomfoolery, do you understand me?” His eyes glanced back at the girl with them, knowing full well that she would be questioning this plan, but hopefully, Silanos had enough sense to understand that this was not the time to test the rules Timaeus was laying out. The boy would have to know that this was serious with the mention of the Kotas ship and the fact that Silanos would have to be there. It would be a quick exit for the three families with the closest ties to the crown and it needed to be pulled off without a hitch to keep the crowd from reacting poorly. This was not the time for Sil to create trouble or ask too many questions.
But then again, this was his brother that they were talking about. Such a task would take nothing less than a miracle.
Imeeya was safe. She was alive. Essa told herself this over and over and yet she still felt sick to her stomach. Maybe it was because knowing, believing that her sister was alright and seeing Imeeya safe and unharmed were two different things and the feeling, the sickness in her belly and the hurt in her young heart, would not pass until she saw her sister again. Slowly her arms unwound themselves from around her, teary eyes glued to the wreckage of the ship. My poor cousins, my poor mothe-
Essa let out a yelp as something, someone, collided into her, the force of impact nearly sending her to the ground. Had her arms not shot out at the same time the other's had, her hands gripping the cloth covering his chest while he took hold of her arms, she might have done just that. W-what? Who? Blinking through teary eyes, Essa looked up and recognized the man from earlier, the one who had winked at her. She shook her head as he began to apologize, her hands falling back to her sides, clenching, unclenching. "No, I'm sorry, I should have been paying attention." Had she been, she would have seen him coming and moved out of the way... "Hey now. You’re alright." What? Realizing what he meant, she stepped back and covered her face in embarrassment. How blotchy her face must be, how childish she must look. "I must look atrocious." She whispered into her hands, lowering them only so she could wipe away stubborn tears from the corner of her eyes. She shook her head on instinct at his first question, not wanting to seem weaker than she already did. "My mother," She croaked, "but I don't know where she is." She wished Aikaterine were here; her friend always gave the best of hugs. She always knew how to take a broken Essa and put her back together again.
She eyed the stranger and took notice of his discomfort. As nice as it was for him to ask after her, she would hate for him to linger any longer, not when he so clearly wished to be anywhere else, so she gave a small smile that did not reach her eyes and glanced away from him and back towards the ship. "I'm fine now, sir. I won't break."
Once more she wrapped her arms around herself, waiting for the stranger to leave her when she heard the sound of a horse approaching, and someone dismounting soon after. She turned, half hoping it would be her mama, but it was a man. “Lady Essa,” the stranger greeted. She gave a polite nod in return, not entirely trusting her voice, not when her throat was tight with emotion. “I’m Timaeus of Valaoritis, the baron of Eubocris. Prince Zanon asked me to escort you and your mother away from the beach. Do you know where she is?” She gave another polite nod before shaking her head, her frown reappearing. She shivered. She really should have grabbed that epiblema from Aikaterine. “No…” She wanted to go home, she wanted her bed, her books, Aikaterine. She wanted her mother, she wanted Imeeya. She wanted the ache to go away. With a shaky, quiet exhale, Essa noticed finally Timaeus’ outstretched hand and without hesitation, took it. Zanon had asked the baron to escort her, after all. She would not make his job any harder. Silent, the girl watched with tired, curious eyes as Timaeus turned from her and towards the other man; they knew each other, might even be related. She could see some facial similarities. When the baron began to speak in a hushed town, Essa tried her best to keep her nose out of their business. Last she inserted herself into someone else’s matters, it had ended...badly. She shivered again, this time at the memory.
That evil, beautiful boy with flowing obsidian hair, his smile as sharp as a knife. She never wanted to see him again! He was terrifying! Perhaps had she been braver, she would have run to her mother, sister or one of her cousins and told them what had happened, but she was a coward, so she kept the meeting a secret. It seemed she had a bad habit of being cornered by handsome, cruel men. It was a bit hard to tune the two men out when they were standing right beside her, nevertheless, she tried. Midas? What was going on? What happened? She glanced at Silanos from the corner of her eye at the mention of tomfoolery; he didn’t look like much trouble, but then again he had winked at her earlier despite not knowing her. Oh well, he looked nice enough. She gave Timaeus’ hand a light squeeze, not wanting to be rude and interrupt him, but she was cold and tired and sick in the heart. She wanted away from this beach.
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Imeeya was safe. She was alive. Essa told herself this over and over and yet she still felt sick to her stomach. Maybe it was because knowing, believing that her sister was alright and seeing Imeeya safe and unharmed were two different things and the feeling, the sickness in her belly and the hurt in her young heart, would not pass until she saw her sister again. Slowly her arms unwound themselves from around her, teary eyes glued to the wreckage of the ship. My poor cousins, my poor mothe-
Essa let out a yelp as something, someone, collided into her, the force of impact nearly sending her to the ground. Had her arms not shot out at the same time the other's had, her hands gripping the cloth covering his chest while he took hold of her arms, she might have done just that. W-what? Who? Blinking through teary eyes, Essa looked up and recognized the man from earlier, the one who had winked at her. She shook her head as he began to apologize, her hands falling back to her sides, clenching, unclenching. "No, I'm sorry, I should have been paying attention." Had she been, she would have seen him coming and moved out of the way... "Hey now. You’re alright." What? Realizing what he meant, she stepped back and covered her face in embarrassment. How blotchy her face must be, how childish she must look. "I must look atrocious." She whispered into her hands, lowering them only so she could wipe away stubborn tears from the corner of her eyes. She shook her head on instinct at his first question, not wanting to seem weaker than she already did. "My mother," She croaked, "but I don't know where she is." She wished Aikaterine were here; her friend always gave the best of hugs. She always knew how to take a broken Essa and put her back together again.
She eyed the stranger and took notice of his discomfort. As nice as it was for him to ask after her, she would hate for him to linger any longer, not when he so clearly wished to be anywhere else, so she gave a small smile that did not reach her eyes and glanced away from him and back towards the ship. "I'm fine now, sir. I won't break."
Once more she wrapped her arms around herself, waiting for the stranger to leave her when she heard the sound of a horse approaching, and someone dismounting soon after. She turned, half hoping it would be her mama, but it was a man. “Lady Essa,” the stranger greeted. She gave a polite nod in return, not entirely trusting her voice, not when her throat was tight with emotion. “I’m Timaeus of Valaoritis, the baron of Eubocris. Prince Zanon asked me to escort you and your mother away from the beach. Do you know where she is?” She gave another polite nod before shaking her head, her frown reappearing. She shivered. She really should have grabbed that epiblema from Aikaterine. “No…” She wanted to go home, she wanted her bed, her books, Aikaterine. She wanted her mother, she wanted Imeeya. She wanted the ache to go away. With a shaky, quiet exhale, Essa noticed finally Timaeus’ outstretched hand and without hesitation, took it. Zanon had asked the baron to escort her, after all. She would not make his job any harder. Silent, the girl watched with tired, curious eyes as Timaeus turned from her and towards the other man; they knew each other, might even be related. She could see some facial similarities. When the baron began to speak in a hushed town, Essa tried her best to keep her nose out of their business. Last she inserted herself into someone else’s matters, it had ended...badly. She shivered again, this time at the memory.
That evil, beautiful boy with flowing obsidian hair, his smile as sharp as a knife. She never wanted to see him again! He was terrifying! Perhaps had she been braver, she would have run to her mother, sister or one of her cousins and told them what had happened, but she was a coward, so she kept the meeting a secret. It seemed she had a bad habit of being cornered by handsome, cruel men. It was a bit hard to tune the two men out when they were standing right beside her, nevertheless, she tried. Midas? What was going on? What happened? She glanced at Silanos from the corner of her eye at the mention of tomfoolery; he didn’t look like much trouble, but then again he had winked at her earlier despite not knowing her. Oh well, he looked nice enough. She gave Timaeus’ hand a light squeeze, not wanting to be rude and interrupt him, but she was cold and tired and sick in the heart. She wanted away from this beach.
Imeeya was safe. She was alive. Essa told herself this over and over and yet she still felt sick to her stomach. Maybe it was because knowing, believing that her sister was alright and seeing Imeeya safe and unharmed were two different things and the feeling, the sickness in her belly and the hurt in her young heart, would not pass until she saw her sister again. Slowly her arms unwound themselves from around her, teary eyes glued to the wreckage of the ship. My poor cousins, my poor mothe-
Essa let out a yelp as something, someone, collided into her, the force of impact nearly sending her to the ground. Had her arms not shot out at the same time the other's had, her hands gripping the cloth covering his chest while he took hold of her arms, she might have done just that. W-what? Who? Blinking through teary eyes, Essa looked up and recognized the man from earlier, the one who had winked at her. She shook her head as he began to apologize, her hands falling back to her sides, clenching, unclenching. "No, I'm sorry, I should have been paying attention." Had she been, she would have seen him coming and moved out of the way... "Hey now. You’re alright." What? Realizing what he meant, she stepped back and covered her face in embarrassment. How blotchy her face must be, how childish she must look. "I must look atrocious." She whispered into her hands, lowering them only so she could wipe away stubborn tears from the corner of her eyes. She shook her head on instinct at his first question, not wanting to seem weaker than she already did. "My mother," She croaked, "but I don't know where she is." She wished Aikaterine were here; her friend always gave the best of hugs. She always knew how to take a broken Essa and put her back together again.
She eyed the stranger and took notice of his discomfort. As nice as it was for him to ask after her, she would hate for him to linger any longer, not when he so clearly wished to be anywhere else, so she gave a small smile that did not reach her eyes and glanced away from him and back towards the ship. "I'm fine now, sir. I won't break."
Once more she wrapped her arms around herself, waiting for the stranger to leave her when she heard the sound of a horse approaching, and someone dismounting soon after. She turned, half hoping it would be her mama, but it was a man. “Lady Essa,” the stranger greeted. She gave a polite nod in return, not entirely trusting her voice, not when her throat was tight with emotion. “I’m Timaeus of Valaoritis, the baron of Eubocris. Prince Zanon asked me to escort you and your mother away from the beach. Do you know where she is?” She gave another polite nod before shaking her head, her frown reappearing. She shivered. She really should have grabbed that epiblema from Aikaterine. “No…” She wanted to go home, she wanted her bed, her books, Aikaterine. She wanted her mother, she wanted Imeeya. She wanted the ache to go away. With a shaky, quiet exhale, Essa noticed finally Timaeus’ outstretched hand and without hesitation, took it. Zanon had asked the baron to escort her, after all. She would not make his job any harder. Silent, the girl watched with tired, curious eyes as Timaeus turned from her and towards the other man; they knew each other, might even be related. She could see some facial similarities. When the baron began to speak in a hushed town, Essa tried her best to keep her nose out of their business. Last she inserted herself into someone else’s matters, it had ended...badly. She shivered again, this time at the memory.
That evil, beautiful boy with flowing obsidian hair, his smile as sharp as a knife. She never wanted to see him again! He was terrifying! Perhaps had she been braver, she would have run to her mother, sister or one of her cousins and told them what had happened, but she was a coward, so she kept the meeting a secret. It seemed she had a bad habit of being cornered by handsome, cruel men. It was a bit hard to tune the two men out when they were standing right beside her, nevertheless, she tried. Midas? What was going on? What happened? She glanced at Silanos from the corner of her eye at the mention of tomfoolery; he didn’t look like much trouble, but then again he had winked at her earlier despite not knowing her. Oh well, he looked nice enough. She gave Timaeus’ hand a light squeeze, not wanting to be rude and interrupt him, but she was cold and tired and sick in the heart. She wanted away from this beach.
The girl’s fingers tangled into the fabric of his himation, and between the two of them, Silanos and Essa managed to avoid either of them making an inglorious tumble into the sand. The Lord could not ignore her upset though, and so he gave a shake of his head at her nonsense concern about tears.. “You don’t” he reassured, because such platitudes were easy, and then realised of course who the girl’s mother was, his brow creasing. She must have caught sight of the shift in expression, and Silanos gave a small smile at her assurations that she would not break. “I’m sure you won’t” he answered. “But that doesn’t mean I’m just going to leave you here. You’ve had a shock. Let me ...uh...find your Mother”
He looked at her as her gaze shifted over his shoulder, something having drawn her attention. Silanos knew he should have been more worried at hearing his brother’s voice behind him. He had been told in no uncertain terms to stay at home, after all, and he knew that Timaeus was likely furious that he had disobeyed the order. But the younger man actually found some comfort in his brother’s presence, and he stepped back from the girl, relieved to let Timaeus take over instead.
He had not bargained for the day turning out like this, more shaken than he liked to admit at seeing the King’s ship pulled from the water and watching the man he had held in contempt have to put on a show whilst hiding his desperate grief. Sil knew what that grief felt like, after all.
He swallowed past the choked feeling in his throat, twisted to glance back down the beach toward the ship and the flurry of movement around it still. The King’’s body was in there. They’d have to bring it out Sil thought numbly. Who would do that? What would they do with the body?
The sound of his name being spoken had him turn, and he stared back at Tim uncomprehendingly for a moment before he blinked and nodded his comprehension. He could find Roxana. But his brother kept speaking, and Sil picked up on the urgency in his tone, frowning as he listened. A Kotas Vessel? That was a fucking stupid idea if ever he heard one.
He opened his mouth to say so,but then closed it again, because he knew his brother and if nothing else, Timaeus had been working hard to protect Silanos from the consequences of that little..blip with the Princess Evras. Not to say that it wasn't maddening dealing with the man’s overzealousness, but it meant that Silanos knew Tim wouldn't be making such a request if it werent absolutely necessary. He held his brother’s gaze for a moment at the warning, for once not feeling that irrestible urge to lock horns with him and gave another nod.
“Alright. I’ll find Roxie and we’ll go to Maleos. Got it”
He eyes slid sideways towards the girl, and Sil gave her a little nod too. “Lady Essa”, before he backed off a couple of paces and then turned, scouring the beach for any sign of the ward that the Valaoritis household had taken in. Though he might not have had his brother’s breadth, Sil was lucky enough to be tall, and it let him see over the heads of those who were milling about. He threaded through them, craning his neck and looking out for the familiar face of his childhood playmate, all the while wondering at the sudden urgency at getting them out of here. Was the worry about House Thanasi really so serious?
After a few moments, he caught sight of the petite figure of Roxana heading back up the beach towards the horses. He sped up, calling out once he was close enough “Rox! Roxana, wait”
When he drew level with her,Silanos ignored any curiosity as to what he was doing there instead of being safely ensconced at their accommodations like a good little lord, and took a hold of his cousin’s arm. “The King is dead.We’re leaving” he said in an undertone. “We’re to find Maleos and head to the docks now”.
Maleos His brother’s dullard Captain, a man Silanos might have thought despised him if he expressed any form of emotion. The younger Lord Valaoritis could see him, still and stoic atop his horse, and he bid Roxana get up on her horse and join him. Sil followed suit, casting a wary glance toward the Thanasi host as he and his cousin rode past to join the quiet Captain. Sil urged his horse a little closer so he could speak to the soldier.
“Timaeus asks that we all three head to the docks and board the Kotas ship” he relayed, looking at Maleos as if he half expected the man to argue with him. The two of them had little occasion to address one another, and so the fact that Silanos was speaking directly to him was a rarity in itself. The lord paused, waited for some form of acknowledgement from the taciturn Captain who thought so highly of his brother. “We’re not to dawdle” he said then, already reining his horse around to head for the docks.
What would happen when they were there? Well he’d just have to deal with that when they came to it.
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The girl’s fingers tangled into the fabric of his himation, and between the two of them, Silanos and Essa managed to avoid either of them making an inglorious tumble into the sand. The Lord could not ignore her upset though, and so he gave a shake of his head at her nonsense concern about tears.. “You don’t” he reassured, because such platitudes were easy, and then realised of course who the girl’s mother was, his brow creasing. She must have caught sight of the shift in expression, and Silanos gave a small smile at her assurations that she would not break. “I’m sure you won’t” he answered. “But that doesn’t mean I’m just going to leave you here. You’ve had a shock. Let me ...uh...find your Mother”
He looked at her as her gaze shifted over his shoulder, something having drawn her attention. Silanos knew he should have been more worried at hearing his brother’s voice behind him. He had been told in no uncertain terms to stay at home, after all, and he knew that Timaeus was likely furious that he had disobeyed the order. But the younger man actually found some comfort in his brother’s presence, and he stepped back from the girl, relieved to let Timaeus take over instead.
He had not bargained for the day turning out like this, more shaken than he liked to admit at seeing the King’s ship pulled from the water and watching the man he had held in contempt have to put on a show whilst hiding his desperate grief. Sil knew what that grief felt like, after all.
He swallowed past the choked feeling in his throat, twisted to glance back down the beach toward the ship and the flurry of movement around it still. The King’’s body was in there. They’d have to bring it out Sil thought numbly. Who would do that? What would they do with the body?
The sound of his name being spoken had him turn, and he stared back at Tim uncomprehendingly for a moment before he blinked and nodded his comprehension. He could find Roxana. But his brother kept speaking, and Sil picked up on the urgency in his tone, frowning as he listened. A Kotas Vessel? That was a fucking stupid idea if ever he heard one.
He opened his mouth to say so,but then closed it again, because he knew his brother and if nothing else, Timaeus had been working hard to protect Silanos from the consequences of that little..blip with the Princess Evras. Not to say that it wasn't maddening dealing with the man’s overzealousness, but it meant that Silanos knew Tim wouldn't be making such a request if it werent absolutely necessary. He held his brother’s gaze for a moment at the warning, for once not feeling that irrestible urge to lock horns with him and gave another nod.
“Alright. I’ll find Roxie and we’ll go to Maleos. Got it”
He eyes slid sideways towards the girl, and Sil gave her a little nod too. “Lady Essa”, before he backed off a couple of paces and then turned, scouring the beach for any sign of the ward that the Valaoritis household had taken in. Though he might not have had his brother’s breadth, Sil was lucky enough to be tall, and it let him see over the heads of those who were milling about. He threaded through them, craning his neck and looking out for the familiar face of his childhood playmate, all the while wondering at the sudden urgency at getting them out of here. Was the worry about House Thanasi really so serious?
After a few moments, he caught sight of the petite figure of Roxana heading back up the beach towards the horses. He sped up, calling out once he was close enough “Rox! Roxana, wait”
When he drew level with her,Silanos ignored any curiosity as to what he was doing there instead of being safely ensconced at their accommodations like a good little lord, and took a hold of his cousin’s arm. “The King is dead.We’re leaving” he said in an undertone. “We’re to find Maleos and head to the docks now”.
Maleos His brother’s dullard Captain, a man Silanos might have thought despised him if he expressed any form of emotion. The younger Lord Valaoritis could see him, still and stoic atop his horse, and he bid Roxana get up on her horse and join him. Sil followed suit, casting a wary glance toward the Thanasi host as he and his cousin rode past to join the quiet Captain. Sil urged his horse a little closer so he could speak to the soldier.
“Timaeus asks that we all three head to the docks and board the Kotas ship” he relayed, looking at Maleos as if he half expected the man to argue with him. The two of them had little occasion to address one another, and so the fact that Silanos was speaking directly to him was a rarity in itself. The lord paused, waited for some form of acknowledgement from the taciturn Captain who thought so highly of his brother. “We’re not to dawdle” he said then, already reining his horse around to head for the docks.
What would happen when they were there? Well he’d just have to deal with that when they came to it.
The girl’s fingers tangled into the fabric of his himation, and between the two of them, Silanos and Essa managed to avoid either of them making an inglorious tumble into the sand. The Lord could not ignore her upset though, and so he gave a shake of his head at her nonsense concern about tears.. “You don’t” he reassured, because such platitudes were easy, and then realised of course who the girl’s mother was, his brow creasing. She must have caught sight of the shift in expression, and Silanos gave a small smile at her assurations that she would not break. “I’m sure you won’t” he answered. “But that doesn’t mean I’m just going to leave you here. You’ve had a shock. Let me ...uh...find your Mother”
He looked at her as her gaze shifted over his shoulder, something having drawn her attention. Silanos knew he should have been more worried at hearing his brother’s voice behind him. He had been told in no uncertain terms to stay at home, after all, and he knew that Timaeus was likely furious that he had disobeyed the order. But the younger man actually found some comfort in his brother’s presence, and he stepped back from the girl, relieved to let Timaeus take over instead.
He had not bargained for the day turning out like this, more shaken than he liked to admit at seeing the King’s ship pulled from the water and watching the man he had held in contempt have to put on a show whilst hiding his desperate grief. Sil knew what that grief felt like, after all.
He swallowed past the choked feeling in his throat, twisted to glance back down the beach toward the ship and the flurry of movement around it still. The King’’s body was in there. They’d have to bring it out Sil thought numbly. Who would do that? What would they do with the body?
The sound of his name being spoken had him turn, and he stared back at Tim uncomprehendingly for a moment before he blinked and nodded his comprehension. He could find Roxana. But his brother kept speaking, and Sil picked up on the urgency in his tone, frowning as he listened. A Kotas Vessel? That was a fucking stupid idea if ever he heard one.
He opened his mouth to say so,but then closed it again, because he knew his brother and if nothing else, Timaeus had been working hard to protect Silanos from the consequences of that little..blip with the Princess Evras. Not to say that it wasn't maddening dealing with the man’s overzealousness, but it meant that Silanos knew Tim wouldn't be making such a request if it werent absolutely necessary. He held his brother’s gaze for a moment at the warning, for once not feeling that irrestible urge to lock horns with him and gave another nod.
“Alright. I’ll find Roxie and we’ll go to Maleos. Got it”
He eyes slid sideways towards the girl, and Sil gave her a little nod too. “Lady Essa”, before he backed off a couple of paces and then turned, scouring the beach for any sign of the ward that the Valaoritis household had taken in. Though he might not have had his brother’s breadth, Sil was lucky enough to be tall, and it let him see over the heads of those who were milling about. He threaded through them, craning his neck and looking out for the familiar face of his childhood playmate, all the while wondering at the sudden urgency at getting them out of here. Was the worry about House Thanasi really so serious?
After a few moments, he caught sight of the petite figure of Roxana heading back up the beach towards the horses. He sped up, calling out once he was close enough “Rox! Roxana, wait”
When he drew level with her,Silanos ignored any curiosity as to what he was doing there instead of being safely ensconced at their accommodations like a good little lord, and took a hold of his cousin’s arm. “The King is dead.We’re leaving” he said in an undertone. “We’re to find Maleos and head to the docks now”.
Maleos His brother’s dullard Captain, a man Silanos might have thought despised him if he expressed any form of emotion. The younger Lord Valaoritis could see him, still and stoic atop his horse, and he bid Roxana get up on her horse and join him. Sil followed suit, casting a wary glance toward the Thanasi host as he and his cousin rode past to join the quiet Captain. Sil urged his horse a little closer so he could speak to the soldier.
“Timaeus asks that we all three head to the docks and board the Kotas ship” he relayed, looking at Maleos as if he half expected the man to argue with him. The two of them had little occasion to address one another, and so the fact that Silanos was speaking directly to him was a rarity in itself. The lord paused, waited for some form of acknowledgement from the taciturn Captain who thought so highly of his brother. “We’re not to dawdle” he said then, already reining his horse around to head for the docks.
What would happen when they were there? Well he’d just have to deal with that when they came to it.
Maleos sat in wait like the good soldier he was, not making a move until he had a command to do so. He may have held a leadership role himself, but his men were not here, and he was only there because of his connection with Timaeus. So, he took no initiative to make any moves himself, navigating politics was not his strong suit, he would leave that up to his best friend and instead he would wait until there was something needed that he could actually assist with. He was sure that something would come up and he would be put to use, and despite his impatience, he knew that he would just need to wait for that moment. Luckily, it did not seem like it was going to take very long for that moment.
It did not take long before his attention was turned to Timaeus’ brother and cousin who rode towards the Captain on their respective horses. He was never a fan of Timaeus’ brother, an obnoxious man, he was more likely to run from his duties than anything else. They did not see eye to eye, and Maleos thought him lazy and dishonourable, though this was not an opinion that he would voice out loud. He was sure that both Timaeus and Silanos could guess his opinion easily enough, though it did not stop him from showing Silanos the proper respect. He didn’t like most people of noble blood, but it did not mean he was going to be rude to them. His mother had raised him better than that, respect was one of the things that the Captain valued most.
This though, was not the time for personal distaste, and so Maleos listened as Sil approached him and notified him of Timaeus’ wishes for the three of them to make their way to the docks immediately. Maleos glanced over at Timaeus, part of him wanting to argue and insist the other two go ahead and he would stay with Timaeus to ensure his safety. But Maleos was nothing if not obedient to his superiors, and despite his close relationship with Tim, his friend still held rank over him. He wouldn’t dare disobey an order, and he did not think that Silanos would lie to him about the order given by the Baron. Even he must know that this was not the time for messing around.
He stayed where he was, allowing time for both Silanos and Roxana to ride ahead of him before he would follow, preferring to stay in back so he could keep an eye on both of them in case something was to happen. This way Roxana would be between them, and if for what ever reason something did happen, she would be within easy reach of either of them to protect her or get her out of the situation if it was needed. He did not think any such thing would be necessary, but he was not one to take chances, especially when tensions were so high.
This character is currently a work in progress.
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This character is currently a work in progress.
Check out their information page here.
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Maleos sat in wait like the good soldier he was, not making a move until he had a command to do so. He may have held a leadership role himself, but his men were not here, and he was only there because of his connection with Timaeus. So, he took no initiative to make any moves himself, navigating politics was not his strong suit, he would leave that up to his best friend and instead he would wait until there was something needed that he could actually assist with. He was sure that something would come up and he would be put to use, and despite his impatience, he knew that he would just need to wait for that moment. Luckily, it did not seem like it was going to take very long for that moment.
It did not take long before his attention was turned to Timaeus’ brother and cousin who rode towards the Captain on their respective horses. He was never a fan of Timaeus’ brother, an obnoxious man, he was more likely to run from his duties than anything else. They did not see eye to eye, and Maleos thought him lazy and dishonourable, though this was not an opinion that he would voice out loud. He was sure that both Timaeus and Silanos could guess his opinion easily enough, though it did not stop him from showing Silanos the proper respect. He didn’t like most people of noble blood, but it did not mean he was going to be rude to them. His mother had raised him better than that, respect was one of the things that the Captain valued most.
This though, was not the time for personal distaste, and so Maleos listened as Sil approached him and notified him of Timaeus’ wishes for the three of them to make their way to the docks immediately. Maleos glanced over at Timaeus, part of him wanting to argue and insist the other two go ahead and he would stay with Timaeus to ensure his safety. But Maleos was nothing if not obedient to his superiors, and despite his close relationship with Tim, his friend still held rank over him. He wouldn’t dare disobey an order, and he did not think that Silanos would lie to him about the order given by the Baron. Even he must know that this was not the time for messing around.
He stayed where he was, allowing time for both Silanos and Roxana to ride ahead of him before he would follow, preferring to stay in back so he could keep an eye on both of them in case something was to happen. This way Roxana would be between them, and if for what ever reason something did happen, she would be within easy reach of either of them to protect her or get her out of the situation if it was needed. He did not think any such thing would be necessary, but he was not one to take chances, especially when tensions were so high.
Maleos sat in wait like the good soldier he was, not making a move until he had a command to do so. He may have held a leadership role himself, but his men were not here, and he was only there because of his connection with Timaeus. So, he took no initiative to make any moves himself, navigating politics was not his strong suit, he would leave that up to his best friend and instead he would wait until there was something needed that he could actually assist with. He was sure that something would come up and he would be put to use, and despite his impatience, he knew that he would just need to wait for that moment. Luckily, it did not seem like it was going to take very long for that moment.
It did not take long before his attention was turned to Timaeus’ brother and cousin who rode towards the Captain on their respective horses. He was never a fan of Timaeus’ brother, an obnoxious man, he was more likely to run from his duties than anything else. They did not see eye to eye, and Maleos thought him lazy and dishonourable, though this was not an opinion that he would voice out loud. He was sure that both Timaeus and Silanos could guess his opinion easily enough, though it did not stop him from showing Silanos the proper respect. He didn’t like most people of noble blood, but it did not mean he was going to be rude to them. His mother had raised him better than that, respect was one of the things that the Captain valued most.
This though, was not the time for personal distaste, and so Maleos listened as Sil approached him and notified him of Timaeus’ wishes for the three of them to make their way to the docks immediately. Maleos glanced over at Timaeus, part of him wanting to argue and insist the other two go ahead and he would stay with Timaeus to ensure his safety. But Maleos was nothing if not obedient to his superiors, and despite his close relationship with Tim, his friend still held rank over him. He wouldn’t dare disobey an order, and he did not think that Silanos would lie to him about the order given by the Baron. Even he must know that this was not the time for messing around.
He stayed where he was, allowing time for both Silanos and Roxana to ride ahead of him before he would follow, preferring to stay in back so he could keep an eye on both of them in case something was to happen. This way Roxana would be between them, and if for what ever reason something did happen, she would be within easy reach of either of them to protect her or get her out of the situation if it was needed. He did not think any such thing would be necessary, but he was not one to take chances, especially when tensions were so high.