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It was fairly well known, or at least those who knew Lesley could attest to it, that the gladiator wasn't fond of attending the public baths when there was any possibility of them being crowded. It was, therefore, not terribly suspicious that he would be here past midnight, given that his current duties left him little time for swimming, and a rag and washbasin might get him clean enough to get by, but hardly presentable around the palati despite his best efforts.
Besides, there were really no other options for a hot bath. The relatively tiny pools the gladiators used to rid themselves of grit and blood after a fight were warm enough not to send an injured man into shock, but the hypocaust under the barracks was old and inefficient, the pipes small enough that the water didn't flow quite fast enough. Again - perfectly adequate for his old life, especially if he wasn't sharing the water with anyone, but if he was going to go at odd hours, the loutra was much nicer. Lesley let himself sink up to his neck in the heated first bath, and sighed as tense muscles unknotted. Not all of them, and at this hour if he'd wanted a massage or a warm oil and scrape-down he'd have had to bring his own slave, which of course he did not have. That was all right. He could wash his own hair, which was the main concern that had driven him to actually come down here. That and simply taking a moment to relax.
If he'd realized one of the other gladiators had given the schedule of his habits to someone who'd been sniffing around after him, he might have reacted rather poorly to another man's entrance, but as it was he just sighed, and hoped it was someone polite enough not to gawk at either the tattoos or the scars.
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It was fairly well known, or at least those who knew Lesley could attest to it, that the gladiator wasn't fond of attending the public baths when there was any possibility of them being crowded. It was, therefore, not terribly suspicious that he would be here past midnight, given that his current duties left him little time for swimming, and a rag and washbasin might get him clean enough to get by, but hardly presentable around the palati despite his best efforts.
Besides, there were really no other options for a hot bath. The relatively tiny pools the gladiators used to rid themselves of grit and blood after a fight were warm enough not to send an injured man into shock, but the hypocaust under the barracks was old and inefficient, the pipes small enough that the water didn't flow quite fast enough. Again - perfectly adequate for his old life, especially if he wasn't sharing the water with anyone, but if he was going to go at odd hours, the loutra was much nicer. Lesley let himself sink up to his neck in the heated first bath, and sighed as tense muscles unknotted. Not all of them, and at this hour if he'd wanted a massage or a warm oil and scrape-down he'd have had to bring his own slave, which of course he did not have. That was all right. He could wash his own hair, which was the main concern that had driven him to actually come down here. That and simply taking a moment to relax.
If he'd realized one of the other gladiators had given the schedule of his habits to someone who'd been sniffing around after him, he might have reacted rather poorly to another man's entrance, but as it was he just sighed, and hoped it was someone polite enough not to gawk at either the tattoos or the scars.
It was fairly well known, or at least those who knew Lesley could attest to it, that the gladiator wasn't fond of attending the public baths when there was any possibility of them being crowded. It was, therefore, not terribly suspicious that he would be here past midnight, given that his current duties left him little time for swimming, and a rag and washbasin might get him clean enough to get by, but hardly presentable around the palati despite his best efforts.
Besides, there were really no other options for a hot bath. The relatively tiny pools the gladiators used to rid themselves of grit and blood after a fight were warm enough not to send an injured man into shock, but the hypocaust under the barracks was old and inefficient, the pipes small enough that the water didn't flow quite fast enough. Again - perfectly adequate for his old life, especially if he wasn't sharing the water with anyone, but if he was going to go at odd hours, the loutra was much nicer. Lesley let himself sink up to his neck in the heated first bath, and sighed as tense muscles unknotted. Not all of them, and at this hour if he'd wanted a massage or a warm oil and scrape-down he'd have had to bring his own slave, which of course he did not have. That was all right. He could wash his own hair, which was the main concern that had driven him to actually come down here. That and simply taking a moment to relax.
If he'd realized one of the other gladiators had given the schedule of his habits to someone who'd been sniffing around after him, he might have reacted rather poorly to another man's entrance, but as it was he just sighed, and hoped it was someone polite enough not to gawk at either the tattoos or the scars.
The weeks had been troubling. The restlessness in the captial had not yet reached Arcana, but if there was anything he knew about politics, is that the word would spread and the loudest voice would be heard. Hector did not like gossip - he sought the truth behind the things.
Was the Queen dead? Was she kidnapped? Who led the attack on the Palace? Why had the Senate not convened since the last one? The anger in the streets was palpable, but it was not anger over anything in particular. It was anger fueled by fear.
The girls were under the care of a neighbor, staying at home but frequently checked on by one of his elder Lieutenants and their wife...and also bringing them food. In the years of raising them, neither had managed to master making anything terribly edible. He left what he could made for them and easily accessible but, there was only so much that could be done.
His mind now, though, was preoccupied with the welfare of another Athenian girl - Crown Princess Emilia.
Since his now-frequent sojourns back and forth between Athenia and Arcana, he had collected only but so much information to satisfy his mind that the Crown Princess was well.
Queen Lucille's youngest daughter.
Thoughts of the late queen flickered through his mind more frequently in passing days, with the public disappearance of one daughter and the unknown whereabouts of the others.
Asking a few friends within the city guard about the needs at the Palace for security, offering some of his men as needed got him the good knowledge of new guards within the Palace, that interestingly included several gladiators. Entertainment warriors for protection of the Crown?
Suspicious, but understood. With a change of regime came the ousting of loyalists from the others. Or at least, the reshuffling. A few other well placed questions led him to the Loutra, and Hector found the man who fit the description he was given for Lesley - a foreign man who seemed to be enjoying his quiet moments away from the Arcus.
Hector milled a moment, gathering what he would need and hanging his chiton, setting his sandals aside and making his way toward the soaking pool, offering little more than a lift of his chin as a silent greeting and offering as much space as the pool would allow without being too distant.
His skin shifted over his defined musculature, including large, darkened V-shaped scare across his ribcage, a far different one than the other silvery-white dozen or so scattered across his thighs and shoulders, small trophies from punishments in his youth and to bring home from Egypt.
Slipping into the water, he exhaled lighted a moment slipping down to sit on the edge in the water before submerging his head a moment before letting the water drip down his face, letting water take down the dirt from his ride in in dark streaks over his face. Taking a moment to scrub at it a moment, he exhaled, enjoying the heat of the water, glancing across at the man a moment.
"At least the Loutra hasn't gone to shit in all this," Hector extended, not quite even looking at the man as he spoke as he leaned his head back against the side of the pool.
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The weeks had been troubling. The restlessness in the captial had not yet reached Arcana, but if there was anything he knew about politics, is that the word would spread and the loudest voice would be heard. Hector did not like gossip - he sought the truth behind the things.
Was the Queen dead? Was she kidnapped? Who led the attack on the Palace? Why had the Senate not convened since the last one? The anger in the streets was palpable, but it was not anger over anything in particular. It was anger fueled by fear.
The girls were under the care of a neighbor, staying at home but frequently checked on by one of his elder Lieutenants and their wife...and also bringing them food. In the years of raising them, neither had managed to master making anything terribly edible. He left what he could made for them and easily accessible but, there was only so much that could be done.
His mind now, though, was preoccupied with the welfare of another Athenian girl - Crown Princess Emilia.
Since his now-frequent sojourns back and forth between Athenia and Arcana, he had collected only but so much information to satisfy his mind that the Crown Princess was well.
Queen Lucille's youngest daughter.
Thoughts of the late queen flickered through his mind more frequently in passing days, with the public disappearance of one daughter and the unknown whereabouts of the others.
Asking a few friends within the city guard about the needs at the Palace for security, offering some of his men as needed got him the good knowledge of new guards within the Palace, that interestingly included several gladiators. Entertainment warriors for protection of the Crown?
Suspicious, but understood. With a change of regime came the ousting of loyalists from the others. Or at least, the reshuffling. A few other well placed questions led him to the Loutra, and Hector found the man who fit the description he was given for Lesley - a foreign man who seemed to be enjoying his quiet moments away from the Arcus.
Hector milled a moment, gathering what he would need and hanging his chiton, setting his sandals aside and making his way toward the soaking pool, offering little more than a lift of his chin as a silent greeting and offering as much space as the pool would allow without being too distant.
His skin shifted over his defined musculature, including large, darkened V-shaped scare across his ribcage, a far different one than the other silvery-white dozen or so scattered across his thighs and shoulders, small trophies from punishments in his youth and to bring home from Egypt.
Slipping into the water, he exhaled lighted a moment slipping down to sit on the edge in the water before submerging his head a moment before letting the water drip down his face, letting water take down the dirt from his ride in in dark streaks over his face. Taking a moment to scrub at it a moment, he exhaled, enjoying the heat of the water, glancing across at the man a moment.
"At least the Loutra hasn't gone to shit in all this," Hector extended, not quite even looking at the man as he spoke as he leaned his head back against the side of the pool.
The weeks had been troubling. The restlessness in the captial had not yet reached Arcana, but if there was anything he knew about politics, is that the word would spread and the loudest voice would be heard. Hector did not like gossip - he sought the truth behind the things.
Was the Queen dead? Was she kidnapped? Who led the attack on the Palace? Why had the Senate not convened since the last one? The anger in the streets was palpable, but it was not anger over anything in particular. It was anger fueled by fear.
The girls were under the care of a neighbor, staying at home but frequently checked on by one of his elder Lieutenants and their wife...and also bringing them food. In the years of raising them, neither had managed to master making anything terribly edible. He left what he could made for them and easily accessible but, there was only so much that could be done.
His mind now, though, was preoccupied with the welfare of another Athenian girl - Crown Princess Emilia.
Since his now-frequent sojourns back and forth between Athenia and Arcana, he had collected only but so much information to satisfy his mind that the Crown Princess was well.
Queen Lucille's youngest daughter.
Thoughts of the late queen flickered through his mind more frequently in passing days, with the public disappearance of one daughter and the unknown whereabouts of the others.
Asking a few friends within the city guard about the needs at the Palace for security, offering some of his men as needed got him the good knowledge of new guards within the Palace, that interestingly included several gladiators. Entertainment warriors for protection of the Crown?
Suspicious, but understood. With a change of regime came the ousting of loyalists from the others. Or at least, the reshuffling. A few other well placed questions led him to the Loutra, and Hector found the man who fit the description he was given for Lesley - a foreign man who seemed to be enjoying his quiet moments away from the Arcus.
Hector milled a moment, gathering what he would need and hanging his chiton, setting his sandals aside and making his way toward the soaking pool, offering little more than a lift of his chin as a silent greeting and offering as much space as the pool would allow without being too distant.
His skin shifted over his defined musculature, including large, darkened V-shaped scare across his ribcage, a far different one than the other silvery-white dozen or so scattered across his thighs and shoulders, small trophies from punishments in his youth and to bring home from Egypt.
Slipping into the water, he exhaled lighted a moment slipping down to sit on the edge in the water before submerging his head a moment before letting the water drip down his face, letting water take down the dirt from his ride in in dark streaks over his face. Taking a moment to scrub at it a moment, he exhaled, enjoying the heat of the water, glancing across at the man a moment.
"At least the Loutra hasn't gone to shit in all this," Hector extended, not quite even looking at the man as he spoke as he leaned his head back against the side of the pool.
"Hmm." Lesley regarded the man who'd joined him through half-closed eyes. He didn't feel terribly much like talking, but there was a sort of anticipatory aura around the other man, giving the feeling that the comment had been intended as the start of a conversation rather than an off-hand greeting. And hey, the stranger wasn't gawking, so that was already a good start.
"We're Greeks," he pointed out, ignoring for the moment that he only fell into that category by residence, not by birth. "I'd expect someone willing to desecrate a temple before ruining a bathhouse." His lips twitched in amusement that was suppressed more by his overall stress levels than by a deliberate attempt to appear sober.
He sighed quietly. Dark tattoos and a gladiator's many scars stood out on his arms as he ran his fingers through short, damp hair. The city was going to shit, and while some of the results of that were amusing to watch, most were not at all pleasant. At least his own belly was full. "Late night? Or don't like crowds?" Experienced soldiers, he knew, could be no more comfortable feeling vulnerable than himself, and the fellow sharing the hot pool with him looked experienced.
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"Hmm." Lesley regarded the man who'd joined him through half-closed eyes. He didn't feel terribly much like talking, but there was a sort of anticipatory aura around the other man, giving the feeling that the comment had been intended as the start of a conversation rather than an off-hand greeting. And hey, the stranger wasn't gawking, so that was already a good start.
"We're Greeks," he pointed out, ignoring for the moment that he only fell into that category by residence, not by birth. "I'd expect someone willing to desecrate a temple before ruining a bathhouse." His lips twitched in amusement that was suppressed more by his overall stress levels than by a deliberate attempt to appear sober.
He sighed quietly. Dark tattoos and a gladiator's many scars stood out on his arms as he ran his fingers through short, damp hair. The city was going to shit, and while some of the results of that were amusing to watch, most were not at all pleasant. At least his own belly was full. "Late night? Or don't like crowds?" Experienced soldiers, he knew, could be no more comfortable feeling vulnerable than himself, and the fellow sharing the hot pool with him looked experienced.
"Hmm." Lesley regarded the man who'd joined him through half-closed eyes. He didn't feel terribly much like talking, but there was a sort of anticipatory aura around the other man, giving the feeling that the comment had been intended as the start of a conversation rather than an off-hand greeting. And hey, the stranger wasn't gawking, so that was already a good start.
"We're Greeks," he pointed out, ignoring for the moment that he only fell into that category by residence, not by birth. "I'd expect someone willing to desecrate a temple before ruining a bathhouse." His lips twitched in amusement that was suppressed more by his overall stress levels than by a deliberate attempt to appear sober.
He sighed quietly. Dark tattoos and a gladiator's many scars stood out on his arms as he ran his fingers through short, damp hair. The city was going to shit, and while some of the results of that were amusing to watch, most were not at all pleasant. At least his own belly was full. "Late night? Or don't like crowds?" Experienced soldiers, he knew, could be no more comfortable feeling vulnerable than himself, and the fellow sharing the hot pool with him looked experienced.
Hector knew that he was there with a specific purpose in mind, but the indulgence of feeling the warmed water over his weary muscles was distracting to say the least. Arcana had no proper loutra, but they did have the shores that extended past the harbor, which was known to find bathers throughout the day in order to spare the well-water. Many inland provinces had no such luxury, so Hector chose to see that as a blessing on the warmer days.
Coming to the Loutra on these routine visits to Athenia had been one of the few highlights of these trips, barring conversations with old friends like Aimias. Thinking of his friend's missive, he made a mental note to call upon him as soon as this particular circumstance was handled.
Hector's lips curled into a smirk and a huff of a laugh escaped his nose, a soldier's response to a spoken truth. He had seen the various worshippers throw fits over which holiday should highlight which god or goddess further. Yet, no matter the vehement differences in gods and politics, this hall was sacred all on it's own.
"A touch of both," he replied reaching over to pour a portion of cleansing oil into his hand before spreading it across his shoulders and collarbone, allowing it to drip down his chest a moment before it left a glistening trail across the top of the water before dissolving and disappearing.
"In from Arcana for a time," he started, the volume and tone of his voice that of someone who did not wished to be heard outside of present company. His eyes even shifted about the room slightly before his turned his focus to spreading the oil across his skin to remove the worst of the sweat and dirt from his skin while he spoke. "Each time I return, I question whether I came to the right city. The things you hear on the street...gossip burning through like wildfire. No way to tell what is really happening."
Hector made a soft 'tsk' between his teeth before letting his eyes shift back over to the man.
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Hector knew that he was there with a specific purpose in mind, but the indulgence of feeling the warmed water over his weary muscles was distracting to say the least. Arcana had no proper loutra, but they did have the shores that extended past the harbor, which was known to find bathers throughout the day in order to spare the well-water. Many inland provinces had no such luxury, so Hector chose to see that as a blessing on the warmer days.
Coming to the Loutra on these routine visits to Athenia had been one of the few highlights of these trips, barring conversations with old friends like Aimias. Thinking of his friend's missive, he made a mental note to call upon him as soon as this particular circumstance was handled.
Hector's lips curled into a smirk and a huff of a laugh escaped his nose, a soldier's response to a spoken truth. He had seen the various worshippers throw fits over which holiday should highlight which god or goddess further. Yet, no matter the vehement differences in gods and politics, this hall was sacred all on it's own.
"A touch of both," he replied reaching over to pour a portion of cleansing oil into his hand before spreading it across his shoulders and collarbone, allowing it to drip down his chest a moment before it left a glistening trail across the top of the water before dissolving and disappearing.
"In from Arcana for a time," he started, the volume and tone of his voice that of someone who did not wished to be heard outside of present company. His eyes even shifted about the room slightly before his turned his focus to spreading the oil across his skin to remove the worst of the sweat and dirt from his skin while he spoke. "Each time I return, I question whether I came to the right city. The things you hear on the street...gossip burning through like wildfire. No way to tell what is really happening."
Hector made a soft 'tsk' between his teeth before letting his eyes shift back over to the man.
Hector knew that he was there with a specific purpose in mind, but the indulgence of feeling the warmed water over his weary muscles was distracting to say the least. Arcana had no proper loutra, but they did have the shores that extended past the harbor, which was known to find bathers throughout the day in order to spare the well-water. Many inland provinces had no such luxury, so Hector chose to see that as a blessing on the warmer days.
Coming to the Loutra on these routine visits to Athenia had been one of the few highlights of these trips, barring conversations with old friends like Aimias. Thinking of his friend's missive, he made a mental note to call upon him as soon as this particular circumstance was handled.
Hector's lips curled into a smirk and a huff of a laugh escaped his nose, a soldier's response to a spoken truth. He had seen the various worshippers throw fits over which holiday should highlight which god or goddess further. Yet, no matter the vehement differences in gods and politics, this hall was sacred all on it's own.
"A touch of both," he replied reaching over to pour a portion of cleansing oil into his hand before spreading it across his shoulders and collarbone, allowing it to drip down his chest a moment before it left a glistening trail across the top of the water before dissolving and disappearing.
"In from Arcana for a time," he started, the volume and tone of his voice that of someone who did not wished to be heard outside of present company. His eyes even shifted about the room slightly before his turned his focus to spreading the oil across his skin to remove the worst of the sweat and dirt from his skin while he spoke. "Each time I return, I question whether I came to the right city. The things you hear on the street...gossip burning through like wildfire. No way to tell what is really happening."
Hector made a soft 'tsk' between his teeth before letting his eyes shift back over to the man.
Lesley snorted. "Go walk outside if you want to know what's happening," the gladiator retorted. "Shops have no wares, and buyers have no coin, and the poor are ready to sell their children in the hopes that slaves get fed better than street beggars. Half the berths in the harbour are empty when they should hold fat merchanter's ships. No way to know," he echoed in a derisive mutter. "Hmph. If your eyes tell you one thing, my friend, and people's tongues another, trust your eyes."
Good advice, he felt, outside the arena as well as in it. Of course, there were ways of fooling the eyes, too, but that was a different problem entirely.
The gladiator half-closed his eyes and wondered if there was any chance the hot water alone would actually relax his entire back, or whether he needed to dig up a spare coin somehow and find his way to a brothel. Whores were clever with their hands, and open for business at otherwise offensively late hours.
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Lesley snorted. "Go walk outside if you want to know what's happening," the gladiator retorted. "Shops have no wares, and buyers have no coin, and the poor are ready to sell their children in the hopes that slaves get fed better than street beggars. Half the berths in the harbour are empty when they should hold fat merchanter's ships. No way to know," he echoed in a derisive mutter. "Hmph. If your eyes tell you one thing, my friend, and people's tongues another, trust your eyes."
Good advice, he felt, outside the arena as well as in it. Of course, there were ways of fooling the eyes, too, but that was a different problem entirely.
The gladiator half-closed his eyes and wondered if there was any chance the hot water alone would actually relax his entire back, or whether he needed to dig up a spare coin somehow and find his way to a brothel. Whores were clever with their hands, and open for business at otherwise offensively late hours.
Lesley snorted. "Go walk outside if you want to know what's happening," the gladiator retorted. "Shops have no wares, and buyers have no coin, and the poor are ready to sell their children in the hopes that slaves get fed better than street beggars. Half the berths in the harbour are empty when they should hold fat merchanter's ships. No way to know," he echoed in a derisive mutter. "Hmph. If your eyes tell you one thing, my friend, and people's tongues another, trust your eyes."
Good advice, he felt, outside the arena as well as in it. Of course, there were ways of fooling the eyes, too, but that was a different problem entirely.
The gladiator half-closed his eyes and wondered if there was any chance the hot water alone would actually relax his entire back, or whether he needed to dig up a spare coin somehow and find his way to a brothel. Whores were clever with their hands, and open for business at otherwise offensively late hours.
Hector listened to the man's explanation. The words would have smarted of condescension, yet knowing the man's background even as slightly as he did, he could not blame him for it, and that stinging turned to faint amusement.
"Fair enough," Hector replied, off-handedly, shaking his head at the state of things. Still, it wove back around to his intended purpose, he supposed. Hector was no politician or a man of fanciful words. In fact, this simple maneuvering to at least not have the man turning tail was near exhausting, which was the truth behind the shake of his head after all.
"It makes little sense, though," he started, silently praying that Athena would guide his words into something other than a nonsensical jumble, "What's preventing the Senate and the Lords of Athenia - plus all the Masters and Advisors they have - doing their part in connecting with some sense of stabilizing things? They can manage to do that in lean wartimes, why not now?" Hector grumbled a moment before adding, "If all they need it word from Crown Princess Emilia, then I feel she would do it. She may be young but as I know her, she has to be able to see what is happening..."
Hector let his words fall short a moment, pausing a moment as if he said too much and glancing over at Lesley before looking away a moment and shaking his head, as if tracing back to explain, "Arcana is a Xanthos province. I have two daughters near her age, one worked in the Palace."
He paused again, knowing this might all be for naught but at least it was worth a try - and most importantly, he had not yet given his name to trace anything back to himself and his daughters at this point.
"As I know the Princess, not opening the Senate to help her people? That does not seem like her...and I worry that something stands in her way."
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Hector listened to the man's explanation. The words would have smarted of condescension, yet knowing the man's background even as slightly as he did, he could not blame him for it, and that stinging turned to faint amusement.
"Fair enough," Hector replied, off-handedly, shaking his head at the state of things. Still, it wove back around to his intended purpose, he supposed. Hector was no politician or a man of fanciful words. In fact, this simple maneuvering to at least not have the man turning tail was near exhausting, which was the truth behind the shake of his head after all.
"It makes little sense, though," he started, silently praying that Athena would guide his words into something other than a nonsensical jumble, "What's preventing the Senate and the Lords of Athenia - plus all the Masters and Advisors they have - doing their part in connecting with some sense of stabilizing things? They can manage to do that in lean wartimes, why not now?" Hector grumbled a moment before adding, "If all they need it word from Crown Princess Emilia, then I feel she would do it. She may be young but as I know her, she has to be able to see what is happening..."
Hector let his words fall short a moment, pausing a moment as if he said too much and glancing over at Lesley before looking away a moment and shaking his head, as if tracing back to explain, "Arcana is a Xanthos province. I have two daughters near her age, one worked in the Palace."
He paused again, knowing this might all be for naught but at least it was worth a try - and most importantly, he had not yet given his name to trace anything back to himself and his daughters at this point.
"As I know the Princess, not opening the Senate to help her people? That does not seem like her...and I worry that something stands in her way."
Hector listened to the man's explanation. The words would have smarted of condescension, yet knowing the man's background even as slightly as he did, he could not blame him for it, and that stinging turned to faint amusement.
"Fair enough," Hector replied, off-handedly, shaking his head at the state of things. Still, it wove back around to his intended purpose, he supposed. Hector was no politician or a man of fanciful words. In fact, this simple maneuvering to at least not have the man turning tail was near exhausting, which was the truth behind the shake of his head after all.
"It makes little sense, though," he started, silently praying that Athena would guide his words into something other than a nonsensical jumble, "What's preventing the Senate and the Lords of Athenia - plus all the Masters and Advisors they have - doing their part in connecting with some sense of stabilizing things? They can manage to do that in lean wartimes, why not now?" Hector grumbled a moment before adding, "If all they need it word from Crown Princess Emilia, then I feel she would do it. She may be young but as I know her, she has to be able to see what is happening..."
Hector let his words fall short a moment, pausing a moment as if he said too much and glancing over at Lesley before looking away a moment and shaking his head, as if tracing back to explain, "Arcana is a Xanthos province. I have two daughters near her age, one worked in the Palace."
He paused again, knowing this might all be for naught but at least it was worth a try - and most importantly, he had not yet given his name to trace anything back to himself and his daughters at this point.
"As I know the Princess, not opening the Senate to help her people? That does not seem like her...and I worry that something stands in her way."
Interesting. Lesley rolled his head to one side and sighed as his neck popped, watching Hector sideways as he explained his relationship to the royals.
"Her royal highness has a soft heart," he agreed after a moment. Who was Hector of Arcana? Lesley knew at least by name nearly all the Athenian nobility his own age or older, and could guess at most of their loyalties, but he was still extremely out of date when it came to the shifting circles of people surrounding them. A sharp, tactical mind could quickly absorb the big picture from a few details, but the reverse wasn't always true, and while playing big dumb guard meant people more often didn't bother hiding things from him, it also prevented him from asking certain questions. Lesley's tired sigh hid a rapid, half-subconscious analysis of the possibilities inherent in this current conversation. "Unfortunately, she also has about as much political sense as a newborn puppy and is just as easily stymied."
If Hector did know the princess personally, he'd know that was as true as the other. And if he was somehow sent by Elias to see whether Lesley was spreading things he shouldn't, a comment suggesting Emilia had no business ruling anything couldn't be criticized. The truth was, Lesley wasn't loyal enough to keep his mouth shut, but he was smart enough to keep the voicing of certain opinions to the company of people he knew.
Mostly.
His eyes sharpened as he watched Hector's reaction carefully. He was pretty good at picking out fake sympathy by now, he thought. "You are not chatting me up for rumours by chance," he stated with certainty.
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Interesting. Lesley rolled his head to one side and sighed as his neck popped, watching Hector sideways as he explained his relationship to the royals.
"Her royal highness has a soft heart," he agreed after a moment. Who was Hector of Arcana? Lesley knew at least by name nearly all the Athenian nobility his own age or older, and could guess at most of their loyalties, but he was still extremely out of date when it came to the shifting circles of people surrounding them. A sharp, tactical mind could quickly absorb the big picture from a few details, but the reverse wasn't always true, and while playing big dumb guard meant people more often didn't bother hiding things from him, it also prevented him from asking certain questions. Lesley's tired sigh hid a rapid, half-subconscious analysis of the possibilities inherent in this current conversation. "Unfortunately, she also has about as much political sense as a newborn puppy and is just as easily stymied."
If Hector did know the princess personally, he'd know that was as true as the other. And if he was somehow sent by Elias to see whether Lesley was spreading things he shouldn't, a comment suggesting Emilia had no business ruling anything couldn't be criticized. The truth was, Lesley wasn't loyal enough to keep his mouth shut, but he was smart enough to keep the voicing of certain opinions to the company of people he knew.
Mostly.
His eyes sharpened as he watched Hector's reaction carefully. He was pretty good at picking out fake sympathy by now, he thought. "You are not chatting me up for rumours by chance," he stated with certainty.
Interesting. Lesley rolled his head to one side and sighed as his neck popped, watching Hector sideways as he explained his relationship to the royals.
"Her royal highness has a soft heart," he agreed after a moment. Who was Hector of Arcana? Lesley knew at least by name nearly all the Athenian nobility his own age or older, and could guess at most of their loyalties, but he was still extremely out of date when it came to the shifting circles of people surrounding them. A sharp, tactical mind could quickly absorb the big picture from a few details, but the reverse wasn't always true, and while playing big dumb guard meant people more often didn't bother hiding things from him, it also prevented him from asking certain questions. Lesley's tired sigh hid a rapid, half-subconscious analysis of the possibilities inherent in this current conversation. "Unfortunately, she also has about as much political sense as a newborn puppy and is just as easily stymied."
If Hector did know the princess personally, he'd know that was as true as the other. And if he was somehow sent by Elias to see whether Lesley was spreading things he shouldn't, a comment suggesting Emilia had no business ruling anything couldn't be criticized. The truth was, Lesley wasn't loyal enough to keep his mouth shut, but he was smart enough to keep the voicing of certain opinions to the company of people he knew.
Mostly.
His eyes sharpened as he watched Hector's reaction carefully. He was pretty good at picking out fake sympathy by now, he thought. "You are not chatting me up for rumours by chance," he stated with certainty.
Hector's eyes flicked up to the man again, expression unreadable as he calculated whether or not the maneuver paid off. The man divulged in his way that he knew of the princess' tender nature and that was a step in the right direction, at least when it came to learning about the the girl's well-being. It confessed closeness to her, and more importantly, conversation with her.
"That sounds about right," Hector replied, the ghost of a laugh huffed soundlessly through his nose as he recalled the princess in her younger years, sweet as a doe and just as gentle.
Hector felt the man's eyes sharpen, and his own did as well, in their own was as his voice matched the timbre of the man across the pool from him.
"No, I am not here for rumors," he started, leaning forward a bit so that his elbows sat on his knees, thankful for the water level to allow him to do so. "I am here for the truth of it, of Princess Emilia's well-being. You are one of her primary guardsmen, are you not?"
Cutting directly to the chase seemed to suit Hector in this moment, forever grateful that his identity was not out in the open as of yet. Still, there was caution that needed to be had given the slight echo of the walls and the passing feet and muffled distant conversation beyond.
"I would like your help in gaining an audience with her."
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Hector's eyes flicked up to the man again, expression unreadable as he calculated whether or not the maneuver paid off. The man divulged in his way that he knew of the princess' tender nature and that was a step in the right direction, at least when it came to learning about the the girl's well-being. It confessed closeness to her, and more importantly, conversation with her.
"That sounds about right," Hector replied, the ghost of a laugh huffed soundlessly through his nose as he recalled the princess in her younger years, sweet as a doe and just as gentle.
Hector felt the man's eyes sharpen, and his own did as well, in their own was as his voice matched the timbre of the man across the pool from him.
"No, I am not here for rumors," he started, leaning forward a bit so that his elbows sat on his knees, thankful for the water level to allow him to do so. "I am here for the truth of it, of Princess Emilia's well-being. You are one of her primary guardsmen, are you not?"
Cutting directly to the chase seemed to suit Hector in this moment, forever grateful that his identity was not out in the open as of yet. Still, there was caution that needed to be had given the slight echo of the walls and the passing feet and muffled distant conversation beyond.
"I would like your help in gaining an audience with her."
Hector's eyes flicked up to the man again, expression unreadable as he calculated whether or not the maneuver paid off. The man divulged in his way that he knew of the princess' tender nature and that was a step in the right direction, at least when it came to learning about the the girl's well-being. It confessed closeness to her, and more importantly, conversation with her.
"That sounds about right," Hector replied, the ghost of a laugh huffed soundlessly through his nose as he recalled the princess in her younger years, sweet as a doe and just as gentle.
Hector felt the man's eyes sharpen, and his own did as well, in their own was as his voice matched the timbre of the man across the pool from him.
"No, I am not here for rumors," he started, leaning forward a bit so that his elbows sat on his knees, thankful for the water level to allow him to do so. "I am here for the truth of it, of Princess Emilia's well-being. You are one of her primary guardsmen, are you not?"
Cutting directly to the chase seemed to suit Hector in this moment, forever grateful that his identity was not out in the open as of yet. Still, there was caution that needed to be had given the slight echo of the walls and the passing feet and muffled distant conversation beyond.
"I would like your help in gaining an audience with her."
"I am." A hint of a smile crossed his features. Done feinting, were we? Well then, all to the good. Lesley felt much more secure, even if he wasn't yet sure what to do in response. Not open himself up just yet, at least.
"Now, why would I do that." Supposedly, this man's daughter knew Emilia? If so - and if he could not simply show up at the palace and say he had business with her - he was probably the sort of person he was not supposed to let near her.
Luckily for Hector, Lesley was not a man who did what he was told. High spirited, his friends' parents had said when he was younger. Perversely irritating, his mother called it. Others throughout his life had resorted to less flattering terms. Sometimes he surprised himself with his ability to get away with it.
On the other side of the coin, though, Lesley really didn't want to risk his charge getting hurt. Frustrated nearly to death by her inability to make any sort of decision, tempted occasionally to smack her upside the head in a desperate effort to knock some sense loose in there, but he liked her anyway. It was odd - she was not the sort of person he usually made friends with. She was certainly not the sort of person he respected.
If Les had ever had the occasion to adopt a gimpy, floppy-eared, somewhat stupid puppy, he might have recognized his own feelings. As it was, he simply accepted the admittedly very common occurrence that he knew what he wanted, but not why, and acted decisively towards that goal without questioning his own motives.
"She is well and whole, you can set your mind at ease there, my friend," he assured Hector confidently. Was it possible the man across from him was a spy of the Stravoses, checking on his loyalty? He wouldn't put it past at least one member of that family to be that paranoid, but he didn't think so. The gladiator recognized the look of someone who was making a genuine move - not fully committed, still cautious, but no longer simply testing the waters, nor showing a deliberate opening to draw an opponent into overreaching. Lesley was not as confident in matching wits as matching blades, but that wasn't going to stop him from trying; and he had no more fear in the one than in the other.
"I know why m'lord put out that she was ill when she was not, but..." Lesley looked annoyed, then shrugged philosophically. "Well, I can think my own ideas are better all I like, but I'm just an idiot who gets hit in the head more often than I can keep track of, so what do I know?"
He rolled his shoulder then sunk deeper into the pool, and sighed quietly at the knot of tension that wouldn't release. She needed friends, as much as she needed fresh air, and not just in the political sense. Isolation was not good for anybody.
"I can take a message for you," he decided. Depending on the young lady's reaction, he could choose their next steps.
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"I am." A hint of a smile crossed his features. Done feinting, were we? Well then, all to the good. Lesley felt much more secure, even if he wasn't yet sure what to do in response. Not open himself up just yet, at least.
"Now, why would I do that." Supposedly, this man's daughter knew Emilia? If so - and if he could not simply show up at the palace and say he had business with her - he was probably the sort of person he was not supposed to let near her.
Luckily for Hector, Lesley was not a man who did what he was told. High spirited, his friends' parents had said when he was younger. Perversely irritating, his mother called it. Others throughout his life had resorted to less flattering terms. Sometimes he surprised himself with his ability to get away with it.
On the other side of the coin, though, Lesley really didn't want to risk his charge getting hurt. Frustrated nearly to death by her inability to make any sort of decision, tempted occasionally to smack her upside the head in a desperate effort to knock some sense loose in there, but he liked her anyway. It was odd - she was not the sort of person he usually made friends with. She was certainly not the sort of person he respected.
If Les had ever had the occasion to adopt a gimpy, floppy-eared, somewhat stupid puppy, he might have recognized his own feelings. As it was, he simply accepted the admittedly very common occurrence that he knew what he wanted, but not why, and acted decisively towards that goal without questioning his own motives.
"She is well and whole, you can set your mind at ease there, my friend," he assured Hector confidently. Was it possible the man across from him was a spy of the Stravoses, checking on his loyalty? He wouldn't put it past at least one member of that family to be that paranoid, but he didn't think so. The gladiator recognized the look of someone who was making a genuine move - not fully committed, still cautious, but no longer simply testing the waters, nor showing a deliberate opening to draw an opponent into overreaching. Lesley was not as confident in matching wits as matching blades, but that wasn't going to stop him from trying; and he had no more fear in the one than in the other.
"I know why m'lord put out that she was ill when she was not, but..." Lesley looked annoyed, then shrugged philosophically. "Well, I can think my own ideas are better all I like, but I'm just an idiot who gets hit in the head more often than I can keep track of, so what do I know?"
He rolled his shoulder then sunk deeper into the pool, and sighed quietly at the knot of tension that wouldn't release. She needed friends, as much as she needed fresh air, and not just in the political sense. Isolation was not good for anybody.
"I can take a message for you," he decided. Depending on the young lady's reaction, he could choose their next steps.
"I am." A hint of a smile crossed his features. Done feinting, were we? Well then, all to the good. Lesley felt much more secure, even if he wasn't yet sure what to do in response. Not open himself up just yet, at least.
"Now, why would I do that." Supposedly, this man's daughter knew Emilia? If so - and if he could not simply show up at the palace and say he had business with her - he was probably the sort of person he was not supposed to let near her.
Luckily for Hector, Lesley was not a man who did what he was told. High spirited, his friends' parents had said when he was younger. Perversely irritating, his mother called it. Others throughout his life had resorted to less flattering terms. Sometimes he surprised himself with his ability to get away with it.
On the other side of the coin, though, Lesley really didn't want to risk his charge getting hurt. Frustrated nearly to death by her inability to make any sort of decision, tempted occasionally to smack her upside the head in a desperate effort to knock some sense loose in there, but he liked her anyway. It was odd - she was not the sort of person he usually made friends with. She was certainly not the sort of person he respected.
If Les had ever had the occasion to adopt a gimpy, floppy-eared, somewhat stupid puppy, he might have recognized his own feelings. As it was, he simply accepted the admittedly very common occurrence that he knew what he wanted, but not why, and acted decisively towards that goal without questioning his own motives.
"She is well and whole, you can set your mind at ease there, my friend," he assured Hector confidently. Was it possible the man across from him was a spy of the Stravoses, checking on his loyalty? He wouldn't put it past at least one member of that family to be that paranoid, but he didn't think so. The gladiator recognized the look of someone who was making a genuine move - not fully committed, still cautious, but no longer simply testing the waters, nor showing a deliberate opening to draw an opponent into overreaching. Lesley was not as confident in matching wits as matching blades, but that wasn't going to stop him from trying; and he had no more fear in the one than in the other.
"I know why m'lord put out that she was ill when she was not, but..." Lesley looked annoyed, then shrugged philosophically. "Well, I can think my own ideas are better all I like, but I'm just an idiot who gets hit in the head more often than I can keep track of, so what do I know?"
He rolled his shoulder then sunk deeper into the pool, and sighed quietly at the knot of tension that wouldn't release. She needed friends, as much as she needed fresh air, and not just in the political sense. Isolation was not good for anybody.
"I can take a message for you," he decided. Depending on the young lady's reaction, he could choose their next steps.
"Out of the kindness of your heart?" Hector replied, dryly, with a raised brow. He was fully aware of how ridiculous his request sounded and this response clearly let the man across the pool from him know it. If anything, it could do more harm than good in having him cross paths with nobles in a dangerous game. It was only out of his concern for the children of a woman he had admired all those years ago that he even bothered.
"My daughter is no longer in the employ of the palace, not since the siege, otherwise I would use that. My business in Athenia no longer takes me to the Palace, however, and those within the Palace know it. Thus, I ask you."
The report the gladiator gave on the Princess only set part of his mind at ease. For all he knew, it could be a standard call that was given to anyone who asked. Yet, when he continued on, it piqued Hector's interest. So there was some manipulation at play, though obviously the hired man across from him would not likely indulge in too many of his employers' secrets, understandably. Yet, Hector would take a breadcrumb wherever he could.
"I can think of countless men who know more than and have better ideas than the highest-born noble. Regardless of how many times they've been hit in the head." Smirking, Hector raised a brow, knowing that even if nobles were favored by the gods to have a higher social status than those below, there were some things that could only be learned from observation and experiences of those below that the upper classes would never understand. On that, Hector and Lesley could agree, he was certain.
"And why did he do that, do you suspect?" Hector asked, allowing a moment for an answer if it would come, then nodding as the soldier offered to pass along the message, he nodded his head.
"Thank you. I understand that puts you in a precarious position with your employer, but it is appreciated."
Hector dipped a cupped hand in the water one last time, letting it pour across his face and through his hair before rifling it and moving to stand. "Ask her if she wishes for any of her belongings from the Barony in Arcana, the seat of the Xanthos House. If so, send a missive to the White Shields and Hector will see them delivered. Will that do?"
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"Out of the kindness of your heart?" Hector replied, dryly, with a raised brow. He was fully aware of how ridiculous his request sounded and this response clearly let the man across the pool from him know it. If anything, it could do more harm than good in having him cross paths with nobles in a dangerous game. It was only out of his concern for the children of a woman he had admired all those years ago that he even bothered.
"My daughter is no longer in the employ of the palace, not since the siege, otherwise I would use that. My business in Athenia no longer takes me to the Palace, however, and those within the Palace know it. Thus, I ask you."
The report the gladiator gave on the Princess only set part of his mind at ease. For all he knew, it could be a standard call that was given to anyone who asked. Yet, when he continued on, it piqued Hector's interest. So there was some manipulation at play, though obviously the hired man across from him would not likely indulge in too many of his employers' secrets, understandably. Yet, Hector would take a breadcrumb wherever he could.
"I can think of countless men who know more than and have better ideas than the highest-born noble. Regardless of how many times they've been hit in the head." Smirking, Hector raised a brow, knowing that even if nobles were favored by the gods to have a higher social status than those below, there were some things that could only be learned from observation and experiences of those below that the upper classes would never understand. On that, Hector and Lesley could agree, he was certain.
"And why did he do that, do you suspect?" Hector asked, allowing a moment for an answer if it would come, then nodding as the soldier offered to pass along the message, he nodded his head.
"Thank you. I understand that puts you in a precarious position with your employer, but it is appreciated."
Hector dipped a cupped hand in the water one last time, letting it pour across his face and through his hair before rifling it and moving to stand. "Ask her if she wishes for any of her belongings from the Barony in Arcana, the seat of the Xanthos House. If so, send a missive to the White Shields and Hector will see them delivered. Will that do?"
"Out of the kindness of your heart?" Hector replied, dryly, with a raised brow. He was fully aware of how ridiculous his request sounded and this response clearly let the man across the pool from him know it. If anything, it could do more harm than good in having him cross paths with nobles in a dangerous game. It was only out of his concern for the children of a woman he had admired all those years ago that he even bothered.
"My daughter is no longer in the employ of the palace, not since the siege, otherwise I would use that. My business in Athenia no longer takes me to the Palace, however, and those within the Palace know it. Thus, I ask you."
The report the gladiator gave on the Princess only set part of his mind at ease. For all he knew, it could be a standard call that was given to anyone who asked. Yet, when he continued on, it piqued Hector's interest. So there was some manipulation at play, though obviously the hired man across from him would not likely indulge in too many of his employers' secrets, understandably. Yet, Hector would take a breadcrumb wherever he could.
"I can think of countless men who know more than and have better ideas than the highest-born noble. Regardless of how many times they've been hit in the head." Smirking, Hector raised a brow, knowing that even if nobles were favored by the gods to have a higher social status than those below, there were some things that could only be learned from observation and experiences of those below that the upper classes would never understand. On that, Hector and Lesley could agree, he was certain.
"And why did he do that, do you suspect?" Hector asked, allowing a moment for an answer if it would come, then nodding as the soldier offered to pass along the message, he nodded his head.
"Thank you. I understand that puts you in a precarious position with your employer, but it is appreciated."
Hector dipped a cupped hand in the water one last time, letting it pour across his face and through his hair before rifling it and moving to stand. "Ask her if she wishes for any of her belongings from the Barony in Arcana, the seat of the Xanthos House. If so, send a missive to the White Shields and Hector will see them delivered. Will that do?"
"Hmm." It didn't sound thoughtful, more like a slightly politer grunt of acknowledgement. No... Lesley didn't want to answer any follow-up questions. Enough that this man see a single crack in the front that the Stravos dynastea had put up for public display. Lesley didn't think Emilia would make any sort of decent queen - not even as Elias's husband, should he decide to take that tack, no doubt Circenia would continue on doing the 'work' of the queen. Probably regardless of who he married. Not Lesley's problem. But he wasn't loyal to Lord Elias or his mother, either. No - Lesley was and always had been an agent of pure chaos. One who, however, didn't feel either like finding himself caught in a blunt lie if Emilia chose to meet with Hector, nor finding himself arrested and executed. Wouldn't that be a terribly ignominious way to go. Though, there were worse deaths. At least there was still a good chance of screaming crowds at public executions. He was sure if it came down to it, he could turn it into good entertainment. Still not as good as dying with a weapon in his hand, though.
His lip twitched slightly in private amusement at his thoughts and he stood up, ignoring the slightly awkward feeling at having the ruin of his torso on such clear display. "I'll ask her for you." That promise made, he headed for the cooler pools. It was definitely time to rinse off and find somewhere else to try to relax.
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"Hmm." It didn't sound thoughtful, more like a slightly politer grunt of acknowledgement. No... Lesley didn't want to answer any follow-up questions. Enough that this man see a single crack in the front that the Stravos dynastea had put up for public display. Lesley didn't think Emilia would make any sort of decent queen - not even as Elias's husband, should he decide to take that tack, no doubt Circenia would continue on doing the 'work' of the queen. Probably regardless of who he married. Not Lesley's problem. But he wasn't loyal to Lord Elias or his mother, either. No - Lesley was and always had been an agent of pure chaos. One who, however, didn't feel either like finding himself caught in a blunt lie if Emilia chose to meet with Hector, nor finding himself arrested and executed. Wouldn't that be a terribly ignominious way to go. Though, there were worse deaths. At least there was still a good chance of screaming crowds at public executions. He was sure if it came down to it, he could turn it into good entertainment. Still not as good as dying with a weapon in his hand, though.
His lip twitched slightly in private amusement at his thoughts and he stood up, ignoring the slightly awkward feeling at having the ruin of his torso on such clear display. "I'll ask her for you." That promise made, he headed for the cooler pools. It was definitely time to rinse off and find somewhere else to try to relax.
"Hmm." It didn't sound thoughtful, more like a slightly politer grunt of acknowledgement. No... Lesley didn't want to answer any follow-up questions. Enough that this man see a single crack in the front that the Stravos dynastea had put up for public display. Lesley didn't think Emilia would make any sort of decent queen - not even as Elias's husband, should he decide to take that tack, no doubt Circenia would continue on doing the 'work' of the queen. Probably regardless of who he married. Not Lesley's problem. But he wasn't loyal to Lord Elias or his mother, either. No - Lesley was and always had been an agent of pure chaos. One who, however, didn't feel either like finding himself caught in a blunt lie if Emilia chose to meet with Hector, nor finding himself arrested and executed. Wouldn't that be a terribly ignominious way to go. Though, there were worse deaths. At least there was still a good chance of screaming crowds at public executions. He was sure if it came down to it, he could turn it into good entertainment. Still not as good as dying with a weapon in his hand, though.
His lip twitched slightly in private amusement at his thoughts and he stood up, ignoring the slightly awkward feeling at having the ruin of his torso on such clear display. "I'll ask her for you." That promise made, he headed for the cooler pools. It was definitely time to rinse off and find somewhere else to try to relax.