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Still standing side by side with the man, Cicero carefully kept his attention on the people before them, simply giving a slight nod to the Stravos man’s answer. Pale eyes slid sideways though at the idea that it should somehow be Cicero’s place to know the mind of the man’s own child, and to that, the spymaster gave a tight smile.
“Ah well my Lord. Whilst my abilities are exceptional, I have yet to perfect mind-reading. And your son is surprisingly covert about his plans. I wonder why that it is?” he observed mildly, once again looking away from the Master of Trade. Keikelus’ next words had Cicero’s brow lift momentarily, though he subdued the scoff that might have followed.
What was this quarrel that the Stravos Lord seemed to keen for all to observe? The spymaster had noted the arrival of Lady Circenia and the girl, Danae, watched as they kept their distance. The apparent unrest within the Stravos household was not news to him but it was interesting that Lord Keikelus would choose to draw his attention to it. They were not of the relationship that would have the man usually confide in him. Indeed, for some reason, people generally seemed less than willing to confide in Cicero. Another might be offended, the spymaster was amused on those occasions he cared at all.
“That is troublesome news, my Lord. I hope you can resolve your differences presently,” he said lightly, tailing off just as the young Nikolaos boy approached. Here, Cicero observed coolly. He’d heard reports the boy had been rather drink-addled at the festival, but the Lord was not interesting to him at present. Save for some work he was doing for the Stravos of late, he seemed more interested in a life of idleness than being useful. Perhaps that would change. Either way, the master of secrets returned the nod with one of his own.
He might have paused to speak to the Stravos Lord a while longer, were it not for the arrival of someone who he had wondered after since the events of the festival. Young Hebe of Antonis, if he wasn’t incorrect, whom he had last seen, making her way away from the plateau in a most unusual direction. With a small bow to excuse himself from his fellow’s company, the master informer moved subtly through the gathered folks until he arrived at the elbow of the youngest Antonis girl just as her sister had drawn her away from the crowd.
“Ladies, pardon my interruption won't you,” he asked, with a glance between them and no intonation to suggest he was sorry at all. “I simply wished to ask you, Lady Marietta, if your research had turned up any results since we last met?” Which was a matter on interest, it was true, though far less curious to Cicero at that moment than what he wanted to know of the younger sister. Giving Marietta time to answer, he turned to young Hebe then as if an afterthought, to include her in the conversation.
“And Lady Hebe, I am glad to see you well. I meant to see that you were safe after the events of the festival, I saw you making your exit and hoped that you had found your way or were at least in good company?”
Cool blue eyes rested upon the younger girl, Cicero’s words innocuous enough that they would not raise suspicion that he was getting at anything else, but speaking directly so that he hoped Hebe would understand his curiosity into her manner of leaving and more to the point who she had left with.
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Still standing side by side with the man, Cicero carefully kept his attention on the people before them, simply giving a slight nod to the Stravos man’s answer. Pale eyes slid sideways though at the idea that it should somehow be Cicero’s place to know the mind of the man’s own child, and to that, the spymaster gave a tight smile.
“Ah well my Lord. Whilst my abilities are exceptional, I have yet to perfect mind-reading. And your son is surprisingly covert about his plans. I wonder why that it is?” he observed mildly, once again looking away from the Master of Trade. Keikelus’ next words had Cicero’s brow lift momentarily, though he subdued the scoff that might have followed.
What was this quarrel that the Stravos Lord seemed to keen for all to observe? The spymaster had noted the arrival of Lady Circenia and the girl, Danae, watched as they kept their distance. The apparent unrest within the Stravos household was not news to him but it was interesting that Lord Keikelus would choose to draw his attention to it. They were not of the relationship that would have the man usually confide in him. Indeed, for some reason, people generally seemed less than willing to confide in Cicero. Another might be offended, the spymaster was amused on those occasions he cared at all.
“That is troublesome news, my Lord. I hope you can resolve your differences presently,” he said lightly, tailing off just as the young Nikolaos boy approached. Here, Cicero observed coolly. He’d heard reports the boy had been rather drink-addled at the festival, but the Lord was not interesting to him at present. Save for some work he was doing for the Stravos of late, he seemed more interested in a life of idleness than being useful. Perhaps that would change. Either way, the master of secrets returned the nod with one of his own.
He might have paused to speak to the Stravos Lord a while longer, were it not for the arrival of someone who he had wondered after since the events of the festival. Young Hebe of Antonis, if he wasn’t incorrect, whom he had last seen, making her way away from the plateau in a most unusual direction. With a small bow to excuse himself from his fellow’s company, the master informer moved subtly through the gathered folks until he arrived at the elbow of the youngest Antonis girl just as her sister had drawn her away from the crowd.
“Ladies, pardon my interruption won't you,” he asked, with a glance between them and no intonation to suggest he was sorry at all. “I simply wished to ask you, Lady Marietta, if your research had turned up any results since we last met?” Which was a matter on interest, it was true, though far less curious to Cicero at that moment than what he wanted to know of the younger sister. Giving Marietta time to answer, he turned to young Hebe then as if an afterthought, to include her in the conversation.
“And Lady Hebe, I am glad to see you well. I meant to see that you were safe after the events of the festival, I saw you making your exit and hoped that you had found your way or were at least in good company?”
Cool blue eyes rested upon the younger girl, Cicero’s words innocuous enough that they would not raise suspicion that he was getting at anything else, but speaking directly so that he hoped Hebe would understand his curiosity into her manner of leaving and more to the point who she had left with.
Still standing side by side with the man, Cicero carefully kept his attention on the people before them, simply giving a slight nod to the Stravos man’s answer. Pale eyes slid sideways though at the idea that it should somehow be Cicero’s place to know the mind of the man’s own child, and to that, the spymaster gave a tight smile.
“Ah well my Lord. Whilst my abilities are exceptional, I have yet to perfect mind-reading. And your son is surprisingly covert about his plans. I wonder why that it is?” he observed mildly, once again looking away from the Master of Trade. Keikelus’ next words had Cicero’s brow lift momentarily, though he subdued the scoff that might have followed.
What was this quarrel that the Stravos Lord seemed to keen for all to observe? The spymaster had noted the arrival of Lady Circenia and the girl, Danae, watched as they kept their distance. The apparent unrest within the Stravos household was not news to him but it was interesting that Lord Keikelus would choose to draw his attention to it. They were not of the relationship that would have the man usually confide in him. Indeed, for some reason, people generally seemed less than willing to confide in Cicero. Another might be offended, the spymaster was amused on those occasions he cared at all.
“That is troublesome news, my Lord. I hope you can resolve your differences presently,” he said lightly, tailing off just as the young Nikolaos boy approached. Here, Cicero observed coolly. He’d heard reports the boy had been rather drink-addled at the festival, but the Lord was not interesting to him at present. Save for some work he was doing for the Stravos of late, he seemed more interested in a life of idleness than being useful. Perhaps that would change. Either way, the master of secrets returned the nod with one of his own.
He might have paused to speak to the Stravos Lord a while longer, were it not for the arrival of someone who he had wondered after since the events of the festival. Young Hebe of Antonis, if he wasn’t incorrect, whom he had last seen, making her way away from the plateau in a most unusual direction. With a small bow to excuse himself from his fellow’s company, the master informer moved subtly through the gathered folks until he arrived at the elbow of the youngest Antonis girl just as her sister had drawn her away from the crowd.
“Ladies, pardon my interruption won't you,” he asked, with a glance between them and no intonation to suggest he was sorry at all. “I simply wished to ask you, Lady Marietta, if your research had turned up any results since we last met?” Which was a matter on interest, it was true, though far less curious to Cicero at that moment than what he wanted to know of the younger sister. Giving Marietta time to answer, he turned to young Hebe then as if an afterthought, to include her in the conversation.
“And Lady Hebe, I am glad to see you well. I meant to see that you were safe after the events of the festival, I saw you making your exit and hoped that you had found your way or were at least in good company?”
Cool blue eyes rested upon the younger girl, Cicero’s words innocuous enough that they would not raise suspicion that he was getting at anything else, but speaking directly so that he hoped Hebe would understand his curiosity into her manner of leaving and more to the point who she had left with.
Divine Curveball Lines In The Sand
As the citizens of Athenia gather on the senate steps, a chill runs through the air as, for a moment, dark clouds begin to crawl over the sun. The bright light and warm is quickly shielded from view, a dark shadow cast over the city. The dimming of the world turns things colder. And then, just as quickly as it came, the clouds part and the world is right and bright once more. Questioning expression may turn to the skies. Was it simply a passing cloud, a momentary blip in the weather, or was it a signal from the Gods? And, if the latter, what were they trying to say?
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Divine Curveball Lines In The Sand
As the citizens of Athenia gather on the senate steps, a chill runs through the air as, for a moment, dark clouds begin to crawl over the sun. The bright light and warm is quickly shielded from view, a dark shadow cast over the city. The dimming of the world turns things colder. And then, just as quickly as it came, the clouds part and the world is right and bright once more. Questioning expression may turn to the skies. Was it simply a passing cloud, a momentary blip in the weather, or was it a signal from the Gods? And, if the latter, what were they trying to say?
Divine Curveball Lines In The Sand
As the citizens of Athenia gather on the senate steps, a chill runs through the air as, for a moment, dark clouds begin to crawl over the sun. The bright light and warm is quickly shielded from view, a dark shadow cast over the city. The dimming of the world turns things colder. And then, just as quickly as it came, the clouds part and the world is right and bright once more. Questioning expression may turn to the skies. Was it simply a passing cloud, a momentary blip in the weather, or was it a signal from the Gods? And, if the latter, what were they trying to say?
Elias leant back in his chair, a cup of red wine in hand and the docile languidness of muscle that came with the feeling of deserving. He had been looking over paperwork all morning and whilst there was some that had clearly been sent to the wrong office - it was not his job to scrutinise the finances of the treasury, there were scribes for that - he found himself feeling successful in a morning's hard work. There had been several correspondences that had been seen to, a few squabbles that had been settled as one of the noble houses had owed Stravos a loan and it had been easy to threaten to recall it if they didn't drop their allegations. Then there was the matter of servants stealing from the palati kitchens. He had appointed a new guardsman on the kitchen doors with orders to arrest anyone there who attended outside their normal work hours.
Even the drought was finally beginning to pass. There had been storm clouds reported to the south, headed in the direction of Colchis. The Master of the Sea had reported that there was every chance the tail ends of the clouds would pass over Athenia and give her a little rain. Which would shut up those who kept complaining about the wells not having enough. Given that the scholars in the university had made it clear - even published little notes on the walls around the city - that one could boil seawater to drink if they wished, no-one seemed to take a blind bit of notice. And there was plenty of seawater around. Elias had to admit that he was getting a little tired of working so hard to help people who wouldn't help themselves.
Or to have his plans go astray. Even his and Rafail's generosity at the harvest festival had been upstaged by a girl with long dark hair who had a mildly pretty face. One glance and someone had decided she was Queen. Elias had no idea if it was true or not - he had people scouting - but if it wasn't Persephone back on Athenian shores, it was some peasant woman that had managed to turn every attention away from the announcement of a royal engagement and the food that the lower classes had been complaining that they didn't have.
If one pretty girl could have them turning their backs on the goods from Thesnia, they couldn't have been that hungry.
But that was the lower classes. All they knew how to do was rely on those with wealth and prestige. And King Minas had encouraged that victimising attitude. He had set up funds from the treasury to support places of rest for the sick or homeless and arranged for a food fund in times of starvation. All good and valid plans, to be sure, but the people were starting to take advantage. There was little to sell due to the drought, which meant little taxes. Which meant that the treasury was running drier with every month and not being replenished and yet, instead of going out and working more creatively to yield more goods for more economy, the peasants at the bottom end of the social chain decided simply to beg or stay in the houses of rest that put a greater drain on the royal resources. This wasn't a system that could function. It was too lackadaisical and refused to accept the lazy nature of human beings.
But as soon as he would officially be king, that would change. Elias would see to it that all Athenians were expected to pull their weight. This was not a charity to be drained dry.
Elias sipped from the rim of his wine filled chalice, with a sense of security and intellectual success. The plan was solid. And all he needed now was to find that peasant girl - be she Persephone or otherwise - ensure that she was dead and marry Emilia. All of which were going to plan. And if his family managed to have the Senate turn their last decision to change the order of inheritance, he would still be king.
Satisfied that all roads now led to the throne, Elias was annoyed by the interruption of a servant at the door. The young woman's appearance caused Elias to frown a little. She looked familiar but he couldn't tell if that was because she was always loitering around the palace corridors doing her job, or because she was one of the few servants that he had deigned to sleep with in his duration so far at the palace. He tried to remember by imagining her without her clothes on.
"My Lord... I have been sent with a message that the Senate requires your presence." She told him, her voice reedy and a little weak. No, he wouldn't bed a woman that sounded that breathless just from opening a door. No stamina.
"The Senate is closed." Elias started, waving her away with the cup in hand.
"Yes, my Lord... but there are many people outside of the doors? The Senate wish you to ask the Athenian Guard to step in?"
Elias brought his chair back onto four legs with a thump of frustration. He couldn't believe it. What part of - 'the Senate is closed until you hear otherwise' - was such a struggle for the Houses to comprehend? It wasn't as if they had anything to discuss anyway - no-one could do anything or make any royal decrees without the damn documents that that bitch Persephone had decided to run off with when she left the palati. She had hobbled the country at its knees and Elias's parents were doing everything they could to ensure that the Senators knew this. What was the point in just turning up at the doors and trying to make a stand that they should be opened? What did they want to do? Sit in a big room in silence for a day because there was nothing to be done? In the areas that could be affected by him as steward, he handled them by letter as he had been doing all that morning. Was that not enough?
Feeling decidedly unappreciated and frustrated at the short-sightedness of the Athenian nobles, Elias waved the girl away again.
"Fine, fine. I'll see to it."
As he did damn well everything else.
A half hour later and Elias was dressed in a manner that he would consider suitable for a public event, decked in a floor length chiton of white and black - the colours of his new betrothed - and sweeping a himation of maroon and gold over his shoulder, masking the significance of the other House. On his shoulder was a large fibula of a lion and he wore gold bracers and sandals to match. Knowing that the best accent to such an attire would be a crown around his temples, Elias had to accept patience in that and simply wore a few pieces of golden laurel at his ears. The more gradually he could encourage the Senate and noble classes to grow used to the vision of gold around his head, the better.
Taking possession of one of the larger and older horses in the stables - the animal that was favoured, he remembered, by his uncle - Elias rode to the Senate without bothering to create a detour to the Athenian barracks. This was a matter of politicians and intellectual beings. Not a rabble of peasants or rebels. He would handle it himself.
He deliberately avoided bringing his new intended to the event. For Elias was smart and already knew the likelihood of him having to decree negativity towards Persephone. He didn't need a future wife who grew weepy at the notion that they might not be King and Queen. It hardly looked encouraging to the populace. Instead, he rode alone, barring his guards, and arrived at the Senate quicker than he would be carriage with a fine lady in toe.
The mount he had chosen large, grand and midnight black, which meant it cast a serious presence on the edge of the crowd forcing them to part so that Elias might progress to the front doors. Only there did he dismount to come and stand beside his father looking out upon the crowd.
In a manner of charisma that came so naturally to one such as he, Elias looked towards the heavens where the sun was blotted from the sky for a moment and then down to the people. As he had approached through the crowd, senators had called to him, asking him for news, seeing if Princess Emilia would open the Senate soon, whether or not the Queen was still alive, if he knew what was to become of the crown. He had denied speaking to any of them. Had simply smiled softly, made a hushing gesture with his hand and waited until he was here, before them all. He raised a hand to point towards the sky. The gold and rubies of his rings glinted and the himation fell to rest on his shoulder, exposing a long, tan and well-defined arm. His gaze was powerful and his manner assured as he spoke out over the crowd.
"My fine Lords and Ladies, please look..." He beseeched them, as the clouds removed themselves from the sun and brought light down upon the crowds once more. "There has been but a single rumour of the Queen's return and it has set us squabbling in a manner that even Apollo himself cannot permit. The God of Light sees our weakness by showing us how blind and in the dark we are to the path that Athenia should now follow. Please. Speak only with care and with certainty. If the Queen is here, she will be found and made to answer for her cowardice and abandonment of her people. But until she is discovered, either dead or alive, the monarchy still hangs in a state of impotence." Elias spread his hands to the people before him, palms up in a gesture of begging and understanding. "Please, what good is it for us all to wait before doors that cannot be opened? To insist on entry to a chamber where nothing can be decided? I assure you that, as nephew to the late and beloved King Minas, I am doing all that I can to locate Persephone and the documents that she stole, so that Athenia can break through its frozen state of frustration. If anyone has any information that can aid in this search or has concerns that they wish to be addressed, you may come speak with me now..."
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Check out their information page here.
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Elias leant back in his chair, a cup of red wine in hand and the docile languidness of muscle that came with the feeling of deserving. He had been looking over paperwork all morning and whilst there was some that had clearly been sent to the wrong office - it was not his job to scrutinise the finances of the treasury, there were scribes for that - he found himself feeling successful in a morning's hard work. There had been several correspondences that had been seen to, a few squabbles that had been settled as one of the noble houses had owed Stravos a loan and it had been easy to threaten to recall it if they didn't drop their allegations. Then there was the matter of servants stealing from the palati kitchens. He had appointed a new guardsman on the kitchen doors with orders to arrest anyone there who attended outside their normal work hours.
Even the drought was finally beginning to pass. There had been storm clouds reported to the south, headed in the direction of Colchis. The Master of the Sea had reported that there was every chance the tail ends of the clouds would pass over Athenia and give her a little rain. Which would shut up those who kept complaining about the wells not having enough. Given that the scholars in the university had made it clear - even published little notes on the walls around the city - that one could boil seawater to drink if they wished, no-one seemed to take a blind bit of notice. And there was plenty of seawater around. Elias had to admit that he was getting a little tired of working so hard to help people who wouldn't help themselves.
Or to have his plans go astray. Even his and Rafail's generosity at the harvest festival had been upstaged by a girl with long dark hair who had a mildly pretty face. One glance and someone had decided she was Queen. Elias had no idea if it was true or not - he had people scouting - but if it wasn't Persephone back on Athenian shores, it was some peasant woman that had managed to turn every attention away from the announcement of a royal engagement and the food that the lower classes had been complaining that they didn't have.
If one pretty girl could have them turning their backs on the goods from Thesnia, they couldn't have been that hungry.
But that was the lower classes. All they knew how to do was rely on those with wealth and prestige. And King Minas had encouraged that victimising attitude. He had set up funds from the treasury to support places of rest for the sick or homeless and arranged for a food fund in times of starvation. All good and valid plans, to be sure, but the people were starting to take advantage. There was little to sell due to the drought, which meant little taxes. Which meant that the treasury was running drier with every month and not being replenished and yet, instead of going out and working more creatively to yield more goods for more economy, the peasants at the bottom end of the social chain decided simply to beg or stay in the houses of rest that put a greater drain on the royal resources. This wasn't a system that could function. It was too lackadaisical and refused to accept the lazy nature of human beings.
But as soon as he would officially be king, that would change. Elias would see to it that all Athenians were expected to pull their weight. This was not a charity to be drained dry.
Elias sipped from the rim of his wine filled chalice, with a sense of security and intellectual success. The plan was solid. And all he needed now was to find that peasant girl - be she Persephone or otherwise - ensure that she was dead and marry Emilia. All of which were going to plan. And if his family managed to have the Senate turn their last decision to change the order of inheritance, he would still be king.
Satisfied that all roads now led to the throne, Elias was annoyed by the interruption of a servant at the door. The young woman's appearance caused Elias to frown a little. She looked familiar but he couldn't tell if that was because she was always loitering around the palace corridors doing her job, or because she was one of the few servants that he had deigned to sleep with in his duration so far at the palace. He tried to remember by imagining her without her clothes on.
"My Lord... I have been sent with a message that the Senate requires your presence." She told him, her voice reedy and a little weak. No, he wouldn't bed a woman that sounded that breathless just from opening a door. No stamina.
"The Senate is closed." Elias started, waving her away with the cup in hand.
"Yes, my Lord... but there are many people outside of the doors? The Senate wish you to ask the Athenian Guard to step in?"
Elias brought his chair back onto four legs with a thump of frustration. He couldn't believe it. What part of - 'the Senate is closed until you hear otherwise' - was such a struggle for the Houses to comprehend? It wasn't as if they had anything to discuss anyway - no-one could do anything or make any royal decrees without the damn documents that that bitch Persephone had decided to run off with when she left the palati. She had hobbled the country at its knees and Elias's parents were doing everything they could to ensure that the Senators knew this. What was the point in just turning up at the doors and trying to make a stand that they should be opened? What did they want to do? Sit in a big room in silence for a day because there was nothing to be done? In the areas that could be affected by him as steward, he handled them by letter as he had been doing all that morning. Was that not enough?
Feeling decidedly unappreciated and frustrated at the short-sightedness of the Athenian nobles, Elias waved the girl away again.
"Fine, fine. I'll see to it."
As he did damn well everything else.
A half hour later and Elias was dressed in a manner that he would consider suitable for a public event, decked in a floor length chiton of white and black - the colours of his new betrothed - and sweeping a himation of maroon and gold over his shoulder, masking the significance of the other House. On his shoulder was a large fibula of a lion and he wore gold bracers and sandals to match. Knowing that the best accent to such an attire would be a crown around his temples, Elias had to accept patience in that and simply wore a few pieces of golden laurel at his ears. The more gradually he could encourage the Senate and noble classes to grow used to the vision of gold around his head, the better.
Taking possession of one of the larger and older horses in the stables - the animal that was favoured, he remembered, by his uncle - Elias rode to the Senate without bothering to create a detour to the Athenian barracks. This was a matter of politicians and intellectual beings. Not a rabble of peasants or rebels. He would handle it himself.
He deliberately avoided bringing his new intended to the event. For Elias was smart and already knew the likelihood of him having to decree negativity towards Persephone. He didn't need a future wife who grew weepy at the notion that they might not be King and Queen. It hardly looked encouraging to the populace. Instead, he rode alone, barring his guards, and arrived at the Senate quicker than he would be carriage with a fine lady in toe.
The mount he had chosen large, grand and midnight black, which meant it cast a serious presence on the edge of the crowd forcing them to part so that Elias might progress to the front doors. Only there did he dismount to come and stand beside his father looking out upon the crowd.
In a manner of charisma that came so naturally to one such as he, Elias looked towards the heavens where the sun was blotted from the sky for a moment and then down to the people. As he had approached through the crowd, senators had called to him, asking him for news, seeing if Princess Emilia would open the Senate soon, whether or not the Queen was still alive, if he knew what was to become of the crown. He had denied speaking to any of them. Had simply smiled softly, made a hushing gesture with his hand and waited until he was here, before them all. He raised a hand to point towards the sky. The gold and rubies of his rings glinted and the himation fell to rest on his shoulder, exposing a long, tan and well-defined arm. His gaze was powerful and his manner assured as he spoke out over the crowd.
"My fine Lords and Ladies, please look..." He beseeched them, as the clouds removed themselves from the sun and brought light down upon the crowds once more. "There has been but a single rumour of the Queen's return and it has set us squabbling in a manner that even Apollo himself cannot permit. The God of Light sees our weakness by showing us how blind and in the dark we are to the path that Athenia should now follow. Please. Speak only with care and with certainty. If the Queen is here, she will be found and made to answer for her cowardice and abandonment of her people. But until she is discovered, either dead or alive, the monarchy still hangs in a state of impotence." Elias spread his hands to the people before him, palms up in a gesture of begging and understanding. "Please, what good is it for us all to wait before doors that cannot be opened? To insist on entry to a chamber where nothing can be decided? I assure you that, as nephew to the late and beloved King Minas, I am doing all that I can to locate Persephone and the documents that she stole, so that Athenia can break through its frozen state of frustration. If anyone has any information that can aid in this search or has concerns that they wish to be addressed, you may come speak with me now..."
Elias leant back in his chair, a cup of red wine in hand and the docile languidness of muscle that came with the feeling of deserving. He had been looking over paperwork all morning and whilst there was some that had clearly been sent to the wrong office - it was not his job to scrutinise the finances of the treasury, there were scribes for that - he found himself feeling successful in a morning's hard work. There had been several correspondences that had been seen to, a few squabbles that had been settled as one of the noble houses had owed Stravos a loan and it had been easy to threaten to recall it if they didn't drop their allegations. Then there was the matter of servants stealing from the palati kitchens. He had appointed a new guardsman on the kitchen doors with orders to arrest anyone there who attended outside their normal work hours.
Even the drought was finally beginning to pass. There had been storm clouds reported to the south, headed in the direction of Colchis. The Master of the Sea had reported that there was every chance the tail ends of the clouds would pass over Athenia and give her a little rain. Which would shut up those who kept complaining about the wells not having enough. Given that the scholars in the university had made it clear - even published little notes on the walls around the city - that one could boil seawater to drink if they wished, no-one seemed to take a blind bit of notice. And there was plenty of seawater around. Elias had to admit that he was getting a little tired of working so hard to help people who wouldn't help themselves.
Or to have his plans go astray. Even his and Rafail's generosity at the harvest festival had been upstaged by a girl with long dark hair who had a mildly pretty face. One glance and someone had decided she was Queen. Elias had no idea if it was true or not - he had people scouting - but if it wasn't Persephone back on Athenian shores, it was some peasant woman that had managed to turn every attention away from the announcement of a royal engagement and the food that the lower classes had been complaining that they didn't have.
If one pretty girl could have them turning their backs on the goods from Thesnia, they couldn't have been that hungry.
But that was the lower classes. All they knew how to do was rely on those with wealth and prestige. And King Minas had encouraged that victimising attitude. He had set up funds from the treasury to support places of rest for the sick or homeless and arranged for a food fund in times of starvation. All good and valid plans, to be sure, but the people were starting to take advantage. There was little to sell due to the drought, which meant little taxes. Which meant that the treasury was running drier with every month and not being replenished and yet, instead of going out and working more creatively to yield more goods for more economy, the peasants at the bottom end of the social chain decided simply to beg or stay in the houses of rest that put a greater drain on the royal resources. This wasn't a system that could function. It was too lackadaisical and refused to accept the lazy nature of human beings.
But as soon as he would officially be king, that would change. Elias would see to it that all Athenians were expected to pull their weight. This was not a charity to be drained dry.
Elias sipped from the rim of his wine filled chalice, with a sense of security and intellectual success. The plan was solid. And all he needed now was to find that peasant girl - be she Persephone or otherwise - ensure that she was dead and marry Emilia. All of which were going to plan. And if his family managed to have the Senate turn their last decision to change the order of inheritance, he would still be king.
Satisfied that all roads now led to the throne, Elias was annoyed by the interruption of a servant at the door. The young woman's appearance caused Elias to frown a little. She looked familiar but he couldn't tell if that was because she was always loitering around the palace corridors doing her job, or because she was one of the few servants that he had deigned to sleep with in his duration so far at the palace. He tried to remember by imagining her without her clothes on.
"My Lord... I have been sent with a message that the Senate requires your presence." She told him, her voice reedy and a little weak. No, he wouldn't bed a woman that sounded that breathless just from opening a door. No stamina.
"The Senate is closed." Elias started, waving her away with the cup in hand.
"Yes, my Lord... but there are many people outside of the doors? The Senate wish you to ask the Athenian Guard to step in?"
Elias brought his chair back onto four legs with a thump of frustration. He couldn't believe it. What part of - 'the Senate is closed until you hear otherwise' - was such a struggle for the Houses to comprehend? It wasn't as if they had anything to discuss anyway - no-one could do anything or make any royal decrees without the damn documents that that bitch Persephone had decided to run off with when she left the palati. She had hobbled the country at its knees and Elias's parents were doing everything they could to ensure that the Senators knew this. What was the point in just turning up at the doors and trying to make a stand that they should be opened? What did they want to do? Sit in a big room in silence for a day because there was nothing to be done? In the areas that could be affected by him as steward, he handled them by letter as he had been doing all that morning. Was that not enough?
Feeling decidedly unappreciated and frustrated at the short-sightedness of the Athenian nobles, Elias waved the girl away again.
"Fine, fine. I'll see to it."
As he did damn well everything else.
A half hour later and Elias was dressed in a manner that he would consider suitable for a public event, decked in a floor length chiton of white and black - the colours of his new betrothed - and sweeping a himation of maroon and gold over his shoulder, masking the significance of the other House. On his shoulder was a large fibula of a lion and he wore gold bracers and sandals to match. Knowing that the best accent to such an attire would be a crown around his temples, Elias had to accept patience in that and simply wore a few pieces of golden laurel at his ears. The more gradually he could encourage the Senate and noble classes to grow used to the vision of gold around his head, the better.
Taking possession of one of the larger and older horses in the stables - the animal that was favoured, he remembered, by his uncle - Elias rode to the Senate without bothering to create a detour to the Athenian barracks. This was a matter of politicians and intellectual beings. Not a rabble of peasants or rebels. He would handle it himself.
He deliberately avoided bringing his new intended to the event. For Elias was smart and already knew the likelihood of him having to decree negativity towards Persephone. He didn't need a future wife who grew weepy at the notion that they might not be King and Queen. It hardly looked encouraging to the populace. Instead, he rode alone, barring his guards, and arrived at the Senate quicker than he would be carriage with a fine lady in toe.
The mount he had chosen large, grand and midnight black, which meant it cast a serious presence on the edge of the crowd forcing them to part so that Elias might progress to the front doors. Only there did he dismount to come and stand beside his father looking out upon the crowd.
In a manner of charisma that came so naturally to one such as he, Elias looked towards the heavens where the sun was blotted from the sky for a moment and then down to the people. As he had approached through the crowd, senators had called to him, asking him for news, seeing if Princess Emilia would open the Senate soon, whether or not the Queen was still alive, if he knew what was to become of the crown. He had denied speaking to any of them. Had simply smiled softly, made a hushing gesture with his hand and waited until he was here, before them all. He raised a hand to point towards the sky. The gold and rubies of his rings glinted and the himation fell to rest on his shoulder, exposing a long, tan and well-defined arm. His gaze was powerful and his manner assured as he spoke out over the crowd.
"My fine Lords and Ladies, please look..." He beseeched them, as the clouds removed themselves from the sun and brought light down upon the crowds once more. "There has been but a single rumour of the Queen's return and it has set us squabbling in a manner that even Apollo himself cannot permit. The God of Light sees our weakness by showing us how blind and in the dark we are to the path that Athenia should now follow. Please. Speak only with care and with certainty. If the Queen is here, she will be found and made to answer for her cowardice and abandonment of her people. But until she is discovered, either dead or alive, the monarchy still hangs in a state of impotence." Elias spread his hands to the people before him, palms up in a gesture of begging and understanding. "Please, what good is it for us all to wait before doors that cannot be opened? To insist on entry to a chamber where nothing can be decided? I assure you that, as nephew to the late and beloved King Minas, I am doing all that I can to locate Persephone and the documents that she stole, so that Athenia can break through its frozen state of frustration. If anyone has any information that can aid in this search or has concerns that they wish to be addressed, you may come speak with me now..."
Before Hebe could even answer her, another person approached her. One of two people she wished to avoid, if only because talking to Cicero was impossibly hard and it was clear to Marietta that he bore easy by her words. Which, to be fair, most did. Though a flicker of annoyance did cross her face when he spoke of the diamond. She was like her father in this way. There was a time and a place for everything, and this was neither time nor place. “It seems that my cousin misplaced the diamond, so unfortunately my investigation is stalled until I can find it. She mentioned before Lord Hyla having shown interest in the diamond, but I doubt he would try to take it twice.”
But the conversation ended there as Cicero turned his attention to Hebe. Marietta had no reason to suspect Cicero. He asked a very innocent question. Though she didn’t much like polite conversation of any kind between her sister and the Master of Secrets. Information could be shared through veiled words. Though… this was Hebe. And Marietta trusted her sister, knew her to be the innocent little girl that she was. So this was, likely, Master Cicero being polite.
She wondered how soon before he began to pick his nails.
Before Hebe could even answer, the sky went dark. A chill ran through the air. Marietta pulled Hebe behind her, a tight, strong, protective grip on her sister’s wrist. She looked at the sky and immediately a million questions ran through her mind. The girl who took every small thing, even something as simple as a gentle snowfall, to be some sort of sign. Was a god angry? Were they trying to tell the people something? It could be a passing cloud, but why the sudden chill?
Then, as the light returned, so did the arrival of Elias of Stravos. That grip on Hebe’s wrist grew ever tighter on instinct. But her might was not focused on that grip, which could be hurting her sister she didn’t know. Although Marietta did agree with Elias on one part, the squabbling was ridiculous… the more he spoke the more she felt angry. It wasn’t just angry but hurt. Her best friend, the man she saw as a brother for most of her life, standing in front of the crowd of angry people that he likely caused. But Marietta wouldn’t know this seeing as their fifteen years of friendship was thrown in the wayside in a couple of months, and her friend’s reputation sullied by rumors each worse than the next. And despite her desperate want to believe in her friend, all she could truly feel was… anger.
So when the crowd did not respond at first to Elias’s words it was Marietta, shy, sweet, docile Marietta who found the courage to ask one question: “Who are you to presume the God of Light’s intentions? You are not a God… nor are you our King.”
@apollo
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Before Hebe could even answer her, another person approached her. One of two people she wished to avoid, if only because talking to Cicero was impossibly hard and it was clear to Marietta that he bore easy by her words. Which, to be fair, most did. Though a flicker of annoyance did cross her face when he spoke of the diamond. She was like her father in this way. There was a time and a place for everything, and this was neither time nor place. “It seems that my cousin misplaced the diamond, so unfortunately my investigation is stalled until I can find it. She mentioned before Lord Hyla having shown interest in the diamond, but I doubt he would try to take it twice.”
But the conversation ended there as Cicero turned his attention to Hebe. Marietta had no reason to suspect Cicero. He asked a very innocent question. Though she didn’t much like polite conversation of any kind between her sister and the Master of Secrets. Information could be shared through veiled words. Though… this was Hebe. And Marietta trusted her sister, knew her to be the innocent little girl that she was. So this was, likely, Master Cicero being polite.
She wondered how soon before he began to pick his nails.
Before Hebe could even answer, the sky went dark. A chill ran through the air. Marietta pulled Hebe behind her, a tight, strong, protective grip on her sister’s wrist. She looked at the sky and immediately a million questions ran through her mind. The girl who took every small thing, even something as simple as a gentle snowfall, to be some sort of sign. Was a god angry? Were they trying to tell the people something? It could be a passing cloud, but why the sudden chill?
Then, as the light returned, so did the arrival of Elias of Stravos. That grip on Hebe’s wrist grew ever tighter on instinct. But her might was not focused on that grip, which could be hurting her sister she didn’t know. Although Marietta did agree with Elias on one part, the squabbling was ridiculous… the more he spoke the more she felt angry. It wasn’t just angry but hurt. Her best friend, the man she saw as a brother for most of her life, standing in front of the crowd of angry people that he likely caused. But Marietta wouldn’t know this seeing as their fifteen years of friendship was thrown in the wayside in a couple of months, and her friend’s reputation sullied by rumors each worse than the next. And despite her desperate want to believe in her friend, all she could truly feel was… anger.
So when the crowd did not respond at first to Elias’s words it was Marietta, shy, sweet, docile Marietta who found the courage to ask one question: “Who are you to presume the God of Light’s intentions? You are not a God… nor are you our King.”
@apollo
Before Hebe could even answer her, another person approached her. One of two people she wished to avoid, if only because talking to Cicero was impossibly hard and it was clear to Marietta that he bore easy by her words. Which, to be fair, most did. Though a flicker of annoyance did cross her face when he spoke of the diamond. She was like her father in this way. There was a time and a place for everything, and this was neither time nor place. “It seems that my cousin misplaced the diamond, so unfortunately my investigation is stalled until I can find it. She mentioned before Lord Hyla having shown interest in the diamond, but I doubt he would try to take it twice.”
But the conversation ended there as Cicero turned his attention to Hebe. Marietta had no reason to suspect Cicero. He asked a very innocent question. Though she didn’t much like polite conversation of any kind between her sister and the Master of Secrets. Information could be shared through veiled words. Though… this was Hebe. And Marietta trusted her sister, knew her to be the innocent little girl that she was. So this was, likely, Master Cicero being polite.
She wondered how soon before he began to pick his nails.
Before Hebe could even answer, the sky went dark. A chill ran through the air. Marietta pulled Hebe behind her, a tight, strong, protective grip on her sister’s wrist. She looked at the sky and immediately a million questions ran through her mind. The girl who took every small thing, even something as simple as a gentle snowfall, to be some sort of sign. Was a god angry? Were they trying to tell the people something? It could be a passing cloud, but why the sudden chill?
Then, as the light returned, so did the arrival of Elias of Stravos. That grip on Hebe’s wrist grew ever tighter on instinct. But her might was not focused on that grip, which could be hurting her sister she didn’t know. Although Marietta did agree with Elias on one part, the squabbling was ridiculous… the more he spoke the more she felt angry. It wasn’t just angry but hurt. Her best friend, the man she saw as a brother for most of her life, standing in front of the crowd of angry people that he likely caused. But Marietta wouldn’t know this seeing as their fifteen years of friendship was thrown in the wayside in a couple of months, and her friend’s reputation sullied by rumors each worse than the next. And despite her desperate want to believe in her friend, all she could truly feel was… anger.
So when the crowd did not respond at first to Elias’s words it was Marietta, shy, sweet, docile Marietta who found the courage to ask one question: “Who are you to presume the God of Light’s intentions? You are not a God… nor are you our King.”
@apollo
Is she ever going to look at me? Hebe sighed, her full lips turning down in a cute little pout. Marietta seemed engrossed in the discussion she was having with her companions. Could they be talking about those pesky kittens? Maybe they had given one to Lord Adrestus. Hebe didn’t know how many there were, nor did she care. Now she had to watch Helios more closely so that he wouldn’t think that Marietta’s kitten was a toy to bat around. Both felines were close to the same age but her lynx was much larger. Whenever he left her chambers, she had to keep him on a leash. It wasn’t fair that the kitten had the run of the house, but Helios didn’t.
She was just about to start jumping up and down when Marietta finally looked her way, excused herself, and walked over to Hebe, grabbing her wrist and pulling her away from the crowd. “Ouch!" she exclaimed, wrenching her arm away. Why was her sister so upset? She was a courtier too and had as much right as anyone to be here. Wait. Marietta had spoken to Princess Emilia? Hebe hadn’t seen her for days. Why was she willing to meet with the elder Antonis sister but not with the younger … her own lady-in-waiting? Perhaps they had run into each other accidentally, but that still made no sense. She usually accompanied Emilia when she went out. Maybe she just wanted some time to herself. Or was she going to dismiss her in favor of Marietta?
She opened her mouth to speak but before the words left her lips, a man she had seen but never officially met walked up to them. Has he no manners? Marietta apparently knew him because he asked about her research, something to do with a diamond by her sister’s answer. She had been quite intrigued with Hebe’s jewelry not too long ago. Did she want to experiment on it rather than wear it? At least that explained her sudden interest in fashion, which had never seemed to matter to her before.
The man’s attention then turned to her. He had seen her at the festival! Well, a lot of people had, actually. His eyes rested intently on her. Had he noticed who she left with? The blood drained from her face but a moment later, she regained her composure. There was no way he could have recognized the Queen in her ragged disguise. Did he suspect it was her? Was he one of Persephone’s supporters or a spy for Lord Elias? Before she revealed anything to him, she needed to ask Marietta where his loyalties lay. “Thank you for your concern. I got lost and ...”
Suddenly the clouds obscured the sun, and Hebe shivered, stepping closer to Marietta. She turned her head at the sound of hooves beating the ground, wrinkling her nose when she saw that it was Lord Elias. Ever observant and still young enough to believe the gods sent signs to mortals, she wondered if Apollo had been responsible for the dimming of the sun and the chill in the air. It must mean that he disapproved of the would-be king of Athenia.
The clouds dispersed just as Elias started spouting a bunch of inane drivel about Apollo being disappointed in the crowd gathered at the Senate. Marietta grabbed Hebe’s wrist again and hauled her behind her, which was just as well considering the face she made at Elias. He was twisting Apollo’s message to his own selfish ends. The God of Light could not approve of his people starving and being oppressed. Oh, how she wished that Zeus was listening and would strike the Stravos man with a thunderbolt for his blasphemy!
The youngest Antonis was surprised that Marietta called him out. Her sister was usually so meek. Hebe was not. Sticking her head out from behind her sister, she shouted: “And you never will be our King! We refuse to be ruled by a moron!”
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Is she ever going to look at me? Hebe sighed, her full lips turning down in a cute little pout. Marietta seemed engrossed in the discussion she was having with her companions. Could they be talking about those pesky kittens? Maybe they had given one to Lord Adrestus. Hebe didn’t know how many there were, nor did she care. Now she had to watch Helios more closely so that he wouldn’t think that Marietta’s kitten was a toy to bat around. Both felines were close to the same age but her lynx was much larger. Whenever he left her chambers, she had to keep him on a leash. It wasn’t fair that the kitten had the run of the house, but Helios didn’t.
She was just about to start jumping up and down when Marietta finally looked her way, excused herself, and walked over to Hebe, grabbing her wrist and pulling her away from the crowd. “Ouch!" she exclaimed, wrenching her arm away. Why was her sister so upset? She was a courtier too and had as much right as anyone to be here. Wait. Marietta had spoken to Princess Emilia? Hebe hadn’t seen her for days. Why was she willing to meet with the elder Antonis sister but not with the younger … her own lady-in-waiting? Perhaps they had run into each other accidentally, but that still made no sense. She usually accompanied Emilia when she went out. Maybe she just wanted some time to herself. Or was she going to dismiss her in favor of Marietta?
She opened her mouth to speak but before the words left her lips, a man she had seen but never officially met walked up to them. Has he no manners? Marietta apparently knew him because he asked about her research, something to do with a diamond by her sister’s answer. She had been quite intrigued with Hebe’s jewelry not too long ago. Did she want to experiment on it rather than wear it? At least that explained her sudden interest in fashion, which had never seemed to matter to her before.
The man’s attention then turned to her. He had seen her at the festival! Well, a lot of people had, actually. His eyes rested intently on her. Had he noticed who she left with? The blood drained from her face but a moment later, she regained her composure. There was no way he could have recognized the Queen in her ragged disguise. Did he suspect it was her? Was he one of Persephone’s supporters or a spy for Lord Elias? Before she revealed anything to him, she needed to ask Marietta where his loyalties lay. “Thank you for your concern. I got lost and ...”
Suddenly the clouds obscured the sun, and Hebe shivered, stepping closer to Marietta. She turned her head at the sound of hooves beating the ground, wrinkling her nose when she saw that it was Lord Elias. Ever observant and still young enough to believe the gods sent signs to mortals, she wondered if Apollo had been responsible for the dimming of the sun and the chill in the air. It must mean that he disapproved of the would-be king of Athenia.
The clouds dispersed just as Elias started spouting a bunch of inane drivel about Apollo being disappointed in the crowd gathered at the Senate. Marietta grabbed Hebe’s wrist again and hauled her behind her, which was just as well considering the face she made at Elias. He was twisting Apollo’s message to his own selfish ends. The God of Light could not approve of his people starving and being oppressed. Oh, how she wished that Zeus was listening and would strike the Stravos man with a thunderbolt for his blasphemy!
The youngest Antonis was surprised that Marietta called him out. Her sister was usually so meek. Hebe was not. Sticking her head out from behind her sister, she shouted: “And you never will be our King! We refuse to be ruled by a moron!”
Is she ever going to look at me? Hebe sighed, her full lips turning down in a cute little pout. Marietta seemed engrossed in the discussion she was having with her companions. Could they be talking about those pesky kittens? Maybe they had given one to Lord Adrestus. Hebe didn’t know how many there were, nor did she care. Now she had to watch Helios more closely so that he wouldn’t think that Marietta’s kitten was a toy to bat around. Both felines were close to the same age but her lynx was much larger. Whenever he left her chambers, she had to keep him on a leash. It wasn’t fair that the kitten had the run of the house, but Helios didn’t.
She was just about to start jumping up and down when Marietta finally looked her way, excused herself, and walked over to Hebe, grabbing her wrist and pulling her away from the crowd. “Ouch!" she exclaimed, wrenching her arm away. Why was her sister so upset? She was a courtier too and had as much right as anyone to be here. Wait. Marietta had spoken to Princess Emilia? Hebe hadn’t seen her for days. Why was she willing to meet with the elder Antonis sister but not with the younger … her own lady-in-waiting? Perhaps they had run into each other accidentally, but that still made no sense. She usually accompanied Emilia when she went out. Maybe she just wanted some time to herself. Or was she going to dismiss her in favor of Marietta?
She opened her mouth to speak but before the words left her lips, a man she had seen but never officially met walked up to them. Has he no manners? Marietta apparently knew him because he asked about her research, something to do with a diamond by her sister’s answer. She had been quite intrigued with Hebe’s jewelry not too long ago. Did she want to experiment on it rather than wear it? At least that explained her sudden interest in fashion, which had never seemed to matter to her before.
The man’s attention then turned to her. He had seen her at the festival! Well, a lot of people had, actually. His eyes rested intently on her. Had he noticed who she left with? The blood drained from her face but a moment later, she regained her composure. There was no way he could have recognized the Queen in her ragged disguise. Did he suspect it was her? Was he one of Persephone’s supporters or a spy for Lord Elias? Before she revealed anything to him, she needed to ask Marietta where his loyalties lay. “Thank you for your concern. I got lost and ...”
Suddenly the clouds obscured the sun, and Hebe shivered, stepping closer to Marietta. She turned her head at the sound of hooves beating the ground, wrinkling her nose when she saw that it was Lord Elias. Ever observant and still young enough to believe the gods sent signs to mortals, she wondered if Apollo had been responsible for the dimming of the sun and the chill in the air. It must mean that he disapproved of the would-be king of Athenia.
The clouds dispersed just as Elias started spouting a bunch of inane drivel about Apollo being disappointed in the crowd gathered at the Senate. Marietta grabbed Hebe’s wrist again and hauled her behind her, which was just as well considering the face she made at Elias. He was twisting Apollo’s message to his own selfish ends. The God of Light could not approve of his people starving and being oppressed. Oh, how she wished that Zeus was listening and would strike the Stravos man with a thunderbolt for his blasphemy!
The youngest Antonis was surprised that Marietta called him out. Her sister was usually so meek. Hebe was not. Sticking her head out from behind her sister, she shouted: “And you never will be our King! We refuse to be ruled by a moron!”
Cicero was mildly amused by the elder Antonis girl’s annoyance, making sure to lift his brows just enough to convey that it had been noted. As for what she had to say, well, this time he found that very interesting, and so filed it away for later. The blue diamond, whilst fascinating, was not his focus right now. It had simply been a means to an end to interject himself into the conversation so he could speak to the young lady Hebe. Whom he also hoped would have interesting things to tell.
Aah, yes, there it was. That momentary freeze in her expression, that panic that the girl tried so hard to sweep away in the next moment. Cicero couldn’t produce any evidence, he had suspicions only, like joining a series of dots until a definite shape was revealed, but young Hebe had given him enough to confirm them, to himself at least.
Her verbal answer then was almost irrelevant, and so he was only minorly irritated when she broke off and stepped in close to her sister. Cicero glanced skyward for the sun had been partially eclipsed by cloud, a chillness setting in without its light. Odd. The moment was fleeting though, and soon there was a new distraction in the form of Lord Elias making a predictably dramatic arrival.
Here the spymaster suppressed the rolling of his eyes. A man with real power should not need to showboat so, but he could applaud the man’s ingenuity at exploiting the situation in such a manner.
Though the Stravos Lord was no so adept at judging the mood of his audience, Cicero mused, watching the faces of those around him as Elias spoke on. People were tired of the inaction, of hearing blame and seeing pointed fingers, of the faux leadership from a young man who had actually done very little. Perhaps the would-be King had misjudged his approach.
What happened next however was enough to surprise the Master Informer too. Lady Mariette of Antonis whom he would have counted an ally to the Lord Elias called out above the crowd.
‘Who are you to presume the God of Light’s intentions? You are not a God… nor are you our King’
Who indeed? Sharp words and there were murmurs of agreement from the crowd, whilst others turned in shock to see who would speak out against the Stravos heir, betrothed of the Princess. But they were not yet to have heard enough, for the younger Antonis apparently thought there was yet more to be added to her sister’s words, and she was even less guarded.
'And you never will be our King! We refuse to be ruled by a moron!”
At that, Cicero winced. If there was a thing he knew about the Stravos Lord it was that his pride would not bear such a slight well. With luck, Lord Elias would not have seen precisely where the words came from, but so soon on the tail of Lady Marietta’s...well, it would be a lot of luck. The spymaster had seen how the Stravos Lord repaid those who spoke against him at the harvest festival, though he thought Lady Hebe’s nobility would prevent a swift, physical response as had been ordered upon those before. He did think he might have a word with the Antonis Lord though, to suggest he quiet his daughters. For their own safety.
“Now now, Lady Hebe” Cicero intoned under his breath. “Let us not provoke the pup into biting. Careful now”
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Cicero was mildly amused by the elder Antonis girl’s annoyance, making sure to lift his brows just enough to convey that it had been noted. As for what she had to say, well, this time he found that very interesting, and so filed it away for later. The blue diamond, whilst fascinating, was not his focus right now. It had simply been a means to an end to interject himself into the conversation so he could speak to the young lady Hebe. Whom he also hoped would have interesting things to tell.
Aah, yes, there it was. That momentary freeze in her expression, that panic that the girl tried so hard to sweep away in the next moment. Cicero couldn’t produce any evidence, he had suspicions only, like joining a series of dots until a definite shape was revealed, but young Hebe had given him enough to confirm them, to himself at least.
Her verbal answer then was almost irrelevant, and so he was only minorly irritated when she broke off and stepped in close to her sister. Cicero glanced skyward for the sun had been partially eclipsed by cloud, a chillness setting in without its light. Odd. The moment was fleeting though, and soon there was a new distraction in the form of Lord Elias making a predictably dramatic arrival.
Here the spymaster suppressed the rolling of his eyes. A man with real power should not need to showboat so, but he could applaud the man’s ingenuity at exploiting the situation in such a manner.
Though the Stravos Lord was no so adept at judging the mood of his audience, Cicero mused, watching the faces of those around him as Elias spoke on. People were tired of the inaction, of hearing blame and seeing pointed fingers, of the faux leadership from a young man who had actually done very little. Perhaps the would-be King had misjudged his approach.
What happened next however was enough to surprise the Master Informer too. Lady Mariette of Antonis whom he would have counted an ally to the Lord Elias called out above the crowd.
‘Who are you to presume the God of Light’s intentions? You are not a God… nor are you our King’
Who indeed? Sharp words and there were murmurs of agreement from the crowd, whilst others turned in shock to see who would speak out against the Stravos heir, betrothed of the Princess. But they were not yet to have heard enough, for the younger Antonis apparently thought there was yet more to be added to her sister’s words, and she was even less guarded.
'And you never will be our King! We refuse to be ruled by a moron!”
At that, Cicero winced. If there was a thing he knew about the Stravos Lord it was that his pride would not bear such a slight well. With luck, Lord Elias would not have seen precisely where the words came from, but so soon on the tail of Lady Marietta’s...well, it would be a lot of luck. The spymaster had seen how the Stravos Lord repaid those who spoke against him at the harvest festival, though he thought Lady Hebe’s nobility would prevent a swift, physical response as had been ordered upon those before. He did think he might have a word with the Antonis Lord though, to suggest he quiet his daughters. For their own safety.
“Now now, Lady Hebe” Cicero intoned under his breath. “Let us not provoke the pup into biting. Careful now”
Cicero was mildly amused by the elder Antonis girl’s annoyance, making sure to lift his brows just enough to convey that it had been noted. As for what she had to say, well, this time he found that very interesting, and so filed it away for later. The blue diamond, whilst fascinating, was not his focus right now. It had simply been a means to an end to interject himself into the conversation so he could speak to the young lady Hebe. Whom he also hoped would have interesting things to tell.
Aah, yes, there it was. That momentary freeze in her expression, that panic that the girl tried so hard to sweep away in the next moment. Cicero couldn’t produce any evidence, he had suspicions only, like joining a series of dots until a definite shape was revealed, but young Hebe had given him enough to confirm them, to himself at least.
Her verbal answer then was almost irrelevant, and so he was only minorly irritated when she broke off and stepped in close to her sister. Cicero glanced skyward for the sun had been partially eclipsed by cloud, a chillness setting in without its light. Odd. The moment was fleeting though, and soon there was a new distraction in the form of Lord Elias making a predictably dramatic arrival.
Here the spymaster suppressed the rolling of his eyes. A man with real power should not need to showboat so, but he could applaud the man’s ingenuity at exploiting the situation in such a manner.
Though the Stravos Lord was no so adept at judging the mood of his audience, Cicero mused, watching the faces of those around him as Elias spoke on. People were tired of the inaction, of hearing blame and seeing pointed fingers, of the faux leadership from a young man who had actually done very little. Perhaps the would-be King had misjudged his approach.
What happened next however was enough to surprise the Master Informer too. Lady Mariette of Antonis whom he would have counted an ally to the Lord Elias called out above the crowd.
‘Who are you to presume the God of Light’s intentions? You are not a God… nor are you our King’
Who indeed? Sharp words and there were murmurs of agreement from the crowd, whilst others turned in shock to see who would speak out against the Stravos heir, betrothed of the Princess. But they were not yet to have heard enough, for the younger Antonis apparently thought there was yet more to be added to her sister’s words, and she was even less guarded.
'And you never will be our King! We refuse to be ruled by a moron!”
At that, Cicero winced. If there was a thing he knew about the Stravos Lord it was that his pride would not bear such a slight well. With luck, Lord Elias would not have seen precisely where the words came from, but so soon on the tail of Lady Marietta’s...well, it would be a lot of luck. The spymaster had seen how the Stravos Lord repaid those who spoke against him at the harvest festival, though he thought Lady Hebe’s nobility would prevent a swift, physical response as had been ordered upon those before. He did think he might have a word with the Antonis Lord though, to suggest he quiet his daughters. For their own safety.
“Now now, Lady Hebe” Cicero intoned under his breath. “Let us not provoke the pup into biting. Careful now”
Elias watched the crowd carefully at his words. There were some that looked to him with a face of curiosity, glancing towards the sky. Whilst Elias could not speak with the greatest of authorities to the God of Light's intentions, he could offer the best there was amongst the crowd. Many claimed him to be blessed by the God Apollo, to be his favourite. It was a common rumour since he had passed form boyhood into man. His features, so aesthetically handsome, made him closer to the Gods than anyone who possessed a face less pleasing. It was well known that the Gods granted fine features to those that the applauded, trusted and supported. Elias was as close to a spokesperson for Apollo as any other mortal besides that of the priests that worked his temples. And there were some in the crowd who remembered that, who supported it. Many were Stravos lord but there were several Marikas that were offering consideration too. Even a few of the Antonis baronies were looking thoughtful on the topic. For, if Elias was right, and his interpretation of the God's intent true, who was dare foolish enough to argue against it and risk divine punishment to fall upon them?
As if to answer the question, two female voices called out from the crowd, identifying themselves as the idiots who would risk displeasing a divine being. The first, to Elias' surprise and hurt was that of Lady Marietta. His old friend and confidant. The young Hebe's words were more insulting by their choice of language but that only served to reveal her as the infantile. It was Marietta's that cut to the quick. After all, the more one cared for another, the deeper their betrayals always cut. Figuring himself a true moron for believing that Marietta would be any different, reminding himself that all women were two faced and detestable when it came to matters of import, Elias controlled his features and drew upon the charisma that had seen him make large numbers of friends within the Court and Senate.
"Fine words, I assure you ladies, for the offspring of a man that abdicated the crown you would deny me." He said simply, implying the shame and ridicule that went with the resignation of a throne. Elias looked to one of the three lords beside him and murmured with a tone of exhausted resignation. "I rather think that the beloved King Minas would have liked Lord Alehandros as his heir. Had the man not seen fit to deny his birth right I doubt our late king would have set any of these wheels in motion."
He'd let that rumour circulate all that it wished. So far, he had kept the Antonis out of his matters, never once sought to tar their name. But if Marietta was so determined to throw away their friendship, then so too would he.
Sighing with acceptance over the whole mess, Elias looked about at the crowd and then at the doors behind him. He looked back at the crowd and opened his hands. Clearly this crowd were unable to be won over. He would have to give a little to see anything progress.
"Whilst the ladies make an ignorant point, they speak the truth that I am not your king. I cannot make decisions for you brothers. I only ask that we work together in these difficult times." He glanced at the guard upon the door again. "Open the doors." He declared with a wave of his hand. "I will take whatever punishment is deemed fit for holding Senate without a monarch." Such an act might be considered treason. It would lose him his head. "The men of this kingdom need to speak and define what is best for Athenia. Let us to the Senate!"
His declaration was met but several cheers and applause.
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Elias watched the crowd carefully at his words. There were some that looked to him with a face of curiosity, glancing towards the sky. Whilst Elias could not speak with the greatest of authorities to the God of Light's intentions, he could offer the best there was amongst the crowd. Many claimed him to be blessed by the God Apollo, to be his favourite. It was a common rumour since he had passed form boyhood into man. His features, so aesthetically handsome, made him closer to the Gods than anyone who possessed a face less pleasing. It was well known that the Gods granted fine features to those that the applauded, trusted and supported. Elias was as close to a spokesperson for Apollo as any other mortal besides that of the priests that worked his temples. And there were some in the crowd who remembered that, who supported it. Many were Stravos lord but there were several Marikas that were offering consideration too. Even a few of the Antonis baronies were looking thoughtful on the topic. For, if Elias was right, and his interpretation of the God's intent true, who was dare foolish enough to argue against it and risk divine punishment to fall upon them?
As if to answer the question, two female voices called out from the crowd, identifying themselves as the idiots who would risk displeasing a divine being. The first, to Elias' surprise and hurt was that of Lady Marietta. His old friend and confidant. The young Hebe's words were more insulting by their choice of language but that only served to reveal her as the infantile. It was Marietta's that cut to the quick. After all, the more one cared for another, the deeper their betrayals always cut. Figuring himself a true moron for believing that Marietta would be any different, reminding himself that all women were two faced and detestable when it came to matters of import, Elias controlled his features and drew upon the charisma that had seen him make large numbers of friends within the Court and Senate.
"Fine words, I assure you ladies, for the offspring of a man that abdicated the crown you would deny me." He said simply, implying the shame and ridicule that went with the resignation of a throne. Elias looked to one of the three lords beside him and murmured with a tone of exhausted resignation. "I rather think that the beloved King Minas would have liked Lord Alehandros as his heir. Had the man not seen fit to deny his birth right I doubt our late king would have set any of these wheels in motion."
He'd let that rumour circulate all that it wished. So far, he had kept the Antonis out of his matters, never once sought to tar their name. But if Marietta was so determined to throw away their friendship, then so too would he.
Sighing with acceptance over the whole mess, Elias looked about at the crowd and then at the doors behind him. He looked back at the crowd and opened his hands. Clearly this crowd were unable to be won over. He would have to give a little to see anything progress.
"Whilst the ladies make an ignorant point, they speak the truth that I am not your king. I cannot make decisions for you brothers. I only ask that we work together in these difficult times." He glanced at the guard upon the door again. "Open the doors." He declared with a wave of his hand. "I will take whatever punishment is deemed fit for holding Senate without a monarch." Such an act might be considered treason. It would lose him his head. "The men of this kingdom need to speak and define what is best for Athenia. Let us to the Senate!"
His declaration was met but several cheers and applause.
Elias watched the crowd carefully at his words. There were some that looked to him with a face of curiosity, glancing towards the sky. Whilst Elias could not speak with the greatest of authorities to the God of Light's intentions, he could offer the best there was amongst the crowd. Many claimed him to be blessed by the God Apollo, to be his favourite. It was a common rumour since he had passed form boyhood into man. His features, so aesthetically handsome, made him closer to the Gods than anyone who possessed a face less pleasing. It was well known that the Gods granted fine features to those that the applauded, trusted and supported. Elias was as close to a spokesperson for Apollo as any other mortal besides that of the priests that worked his temples. And there were some in the crowd who remembered that, who supported it. Many were Stravos lord but there were several Marikas that were offering consideration too. Even a few of the Antonis baronies were looking thoughtful on the topic. For, if Elias was right, and his interpretation of the God's intent true, who was dare foolish enough to argue against it and risk divine punishment to fall upon them?
As if to answer the question, two female voices called out from the crowd, identifying themselves as the idiots who would risk displeasing a divine being. The first, to Elias' surprise and hurt was that of Lady Marietta. His old friend and confidant. The young Hebe's words were more insulting by their choice of language but that only served to reveal her as the infantile. It was Marietta's that cut to the quick. After all, the more one cared for another, the deeper their betrayals always cut. Figuring himself a true moron for believing that Marietta would be any different, reminding himself that all women were two faced and detestable when it came to matters of import, Elias controlled his features and drew upon the charisma that had seen him make large numbers of friends within the Court and Senate.
"Fine words, I assure you ladies, for the offspring of a man that abdicated the crown you would deny me." He said simply, implying the shame and ridicule that went with the resignation of a throne. Elias looked to one of the three lords beside him and murmured with a tone of exhausted resignation. "I rather think that the beloved King Minas would have liked Lord Alehandros as his heir. Had the man not seen fit to deny his birth right I doubt our late king would have set any of these wheels in motion."
He'd let that rumour circulate all that it wished. So far, he had kept the Antonis out of his matters, never once sought to tar their name. But if Marietta was so determined to throw away their friendship, then so too would he.
Sighing with acceptance over the whole mess, Elias looked about at the crowd and then at the doors behind him. He looked back at the crowd and opened his hands. Clearly this crowd were unable to be won over. He would have to give a little to see anything progress.
"Whilst the ladies make an ignorant point, they speak the truth that I am not your king. I cannot make decisions for you brothers. I only ask that we work together in these difficult times." He glanced at the guard upon the door again. "Open the doors." He declared with a wave of his hand. "I will take whatever punishment is deemed fit for holding Senate without a monarch." Such an act might be considered treason. It would lose him his head. "The men of this kingdom need to speak and define what is best for Athenia. Let us to the Senate!"
His declaration was met but several cheers and applause.
When Hebe spoke Marietta’s heart squeezed. She wanted to shake her sister. She wanted to muzzle her. She wanted her to just be quiet. It was stupid enough one Antonis daughter said something, let alone two. And, well, while Marietta couldn’t claim she was eloquent… she was at least better than her youngest sister.
Let us not provoke the pup into biting now.
Cicero was right, of course. Though how hard that bite would be was something Marietta didn’t… want to see determined. As much as she desperately wanted facts, to understand Elias and his actions, and the insanity that has been Athenia as of late… she feared the truth to the rumors that have spread across the capital. She feared that a bite from Elias was devastating, more devastating than a simple slap to the face he had done years prior. And she wanted to believe that it wasn’t the case- that it would be a nip if anything. Oh gods, how she wanted to believe that.
And there it was. The blush. It had miraculously stayed off her face the entire time they had been out here. When talking to Danae and Adrestus, to Cicero and even when she spoke those seething words to Elias. But when he retorted with words that cut deep, of course, Marietta faltered. It wasn’t that she was expecting Elias to just shut up and take what she had to say. To be fair- she hadn’t even thought that far ahead. She was, for lack of better words, emotional. It was clouding her judgment and making her act differently to what she typically would do.
And what hurt about his words were that they weren’t necessarily wrong. If her father had just taken the crown, the crown that none of her family, nor him, wanted him to have… things would have been simpler. Everything would have been happier. Well, maybe the Antonis family might not have been happy… but surely the rest of the kingdom wouldn’t be suffering? The Senate would be open and… things would be just fine. So who was Marietta to say… anything?
She felt her jaw twitch shut, and the familiar feeling of self-doubt begin to settle in. But that was not all, for something more foreign was stirring inside of Marietta. The first was anger. She was angry at the man- the stranger before her. She remembered when they were children and Marietta would help him practice his lines for his plays… and now he stood among the crowd claiming an understanding of the Gods’ intentions and… playing King. All the while without even a moment’s hesitation embarrassing Marietta. Though that could be… warranted. Maybe…
But what was more foreign was the stinging feeling she felt in her eyes. Marietta was not a crier, not ever. And she wouldn’t give Elias the satisfaction of making her one today. So uncaring of the senate and the doors that would now open, she turned her chin up, and with her grip still tight on her sister’s wrist she stormed away from the crowd before risking embarrassing herself - or the Antonis - any more than she had already.
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When Hebe spoke Marietta’s heart squeezed. She wanted to shake her sister. She wanted to muzzle her. She wanted her to just be quiet. It was stupid enough one Antonis daughter said something, let alone two. And, well, while Marietta couldn’t claim she was eloquent… she was at least better than her youngest sister.
Let us not provoke the pup into biting now.
Cicero was right, of course. Though how hard that bite would be was something Marietta didn’t… want to see determined. As much as she desperately wanted facts, to understand Elias and his actions, and the insanity that has been Athenia as of late… she feared the truth to the rumors that have spread across the capital. She feared that a bite from Elias was devastating, more devastating than a simple slap to the face he had done years prior. And she wanted to believe that it wasn’t the case- that it would be a nip if anything. Oh gods, how she wanted to believe that.
And there it was. The blush. It had miraculously stayed off her face the entire time they had been out here. When talking to Danae and Adrestus, to Cicero and even when she spoke those seething words to Elias. But when he retorted with words that cut deep, of course, Marietta faltered. It wasn’t that she was expecting Elias to just shut up and take what she had to say. To be fair- she hadn’t even thought that far ahead. She was, for lack of better words, emotional. It was clouding her judgment and making her act differently to what she typically would do.
And what hurt about his words were that they weren’t necessarily wrong. If her father had just taken the crown, the crown that none of her family, nor him, wanted him to have… things would have been simpler. Everything would have been happier. Well, maybe the Antonis family might not have been happy… but surely the rest of the kingdom wouldn’t be suffering? The Senate would be open and… things would be just fine. So who was Marietta to say… anything?
She felt her jaw twitch shut, and the familiar feeling of self-doubt begin to settle in. But that was not all, for something more foreign was stirring inside of Marietta. The first was anger. She was angry at the man- the stranger before her. She remembered when they were children and Marietta would help him practice his lines for his plays… and now he stood among the crowd claiming an understanding of the Gods’ intentions and… playing King. All the while without even a moment’s hesitation embarrassing Marietta. Though that could be… warranted. Maybe…
But what was more foreign was the stinging feeling she felt in her eyes. Marietta was not a crier, not ever. And she wouldn’t give Elias the satisfaction of making her one today. So uncaring of the senate and the doors that would now open, she turned her chin up, and with her grip still tight on her sister’s wrist she stormed away from the crowd before risking embarrassing herself - or the Antonis - any more than she had already.
When Hebe spoke Marietta’s heart squeezed. She wanted to shake her sister. She wanted to muzzle her. She wanted her to just be quiet. It was stupid enough one Antonis daughter said something, let alone two. And, well, while Marietta couldn’t claim she was eloquent… she was at least better than her youngest sister.
Let us not provoke the pup into biting now.
Cicero was right, of course. Though how hard that bite would be was something Marietta didn’t… want to see determined. As much as she desperately wanted facts, to understand Elias and his actions, and the insanity that has been Athenia as of late… she feared the truth to the rumors that have spread across the capital. She feared that a bite from Elias was devastating, more devastating than a simple slap to the face he had done years prior. And she wanted to believe that it wasn’t the case- that it would be a nip if anything. Oh gods, how she wanted to believe that.
And there it was. The blush. It had miraculously stayed off her face the entire time they had been out here. When talking to Danae and Adrestus, to Cicero and even when she spoke those seething words to Elias. But when he retorted with words that cut deep, of course, Marietta faltered. It wasn’t that she was expecting Elias to just shut up and take what she had to say. To be fair- she hadn’t even thought that far ahead. She was, for lack of better words, emotional. It was clouding her judgment and making her act differently to what she typically would do.
And what hurt about his words were that they weren’t necessarily wrong. If her father had just taken the crown, the crown that none of her family, nor him, wanted him to have… things would have been simpler. Everything would have been happier. Well, maybe the Antonis family might not have been happy… but surely the rest of the kingdom wouldn’t be suffering? The Senate would be open and… things would be just fine. So who was Marietta to say… anything?
She felt her jaw twitch shut, and the familiar feeling of self-doubt begin to settle in. But that was not all, for something more foreign was stirring inside of Marietta. The first was anger. She was angry at the man- the stranger before her. She remembered when they were children and Marietta would help him practice his lines for his plays… and now he stood among the crowd claiming an understanding of the Gods’ intentions and… playing King. All the while without even a moment’s hesitation embarrassing Marietta. Though that could be… warranted. Maybe…
But what was more foreign was the stinging feeling she felt in her eyes. Marietta was not a crier, not ever. And she wouldn’t give Elias the satisfaction of making her one today. So uncaring of the senate and the doors that would now open, she turned her chin up, and with her grip still tight on her sister’s wrist she stormed away from the crowd before risking embarrassing herself - or the Antonis - any more than she had already.
Panos’ mind was heavy with thought as he stood in the sun outside the Senate doors. He had mixed feelings about his presence there in the first place. On the one hand, the death of King Minas and the subsequent ascension of his daughter Persephone to the throne was still very recent - and still very raw for some. A law was changed, after all. If the Gods felt that wasn’t enough to deal with as it were, the new Queen disappeared, presumed dead after an attack on the Palati. Suddenly in the wake of the death of one Monarch, the nation was now in a state of limbo, without a Monarch altogether, and unsure whether to mourn and grieve or fight for justice. The worst part of all of that in Panos’ eyes was that now Elias of Stravos was acting as Regent, which could only spell disaster. The Senate opening was necessary to restore some semblance of order to move forward, especially as the people were beginning to riot, to add to the chaos of it all.
On the other hand, the ruling Monarch’s presence is required to oversee Senate meetings, and there is little the Senate can do without the support of the Monarch. More to the point, especially at a time like this, the Senate is unlikely to come to a quick decision to fix the problem, and that means disagreement. Without the ruling Monarch present, there is a large possibility no final decision can be made in their absence, and then the meeting of the Senate would be moot altogether.
All that being said, Panos was also acutely aware of the nuances of the current political and social climate they had all found themselves in the middle of. ‘Unpredictable’ wasn’t quite the right word: any man worth the air he breathes would be able to analyze historical precedent and conclude that they sat on the brink of civil war. ‘Complicated’, was possibly a more accurate summation of the events that brought him, and everyone else for that matter, to the Senate doors today. All the other Lords of the Senate were present, notably Panos noticed Keikelius and Lord Cicero, talking among themselves and Keikelius’ family.
There was a stir and commotion. The temperature around them suddenly seemed to drop, and Panos looked up to see heavy clouds form over the sun, shadow encompassing them all. Moments later, as if he had arranged for it to happen just so, Elias emerged in front of the crowd, and as he did so, the sunshine returned along with its warmth. Murmurs rumbled through the crowd not unlike a wave, and all were silent as Elias addressed them.
...and just as Panos might have expected, he appropriated a supposed sign from the Gods (Panos’ own opinion of the phenomenon was irrelevant) as support in his favor that the day’s gathering and the people’s concerns, particularly those of the Senate, were mere ‘squabbles’ as he so eloquently put it. There, indeed, was a rumor, primarily perpetuated among the Stravos clan, but recognized by many others, including a number in his own, that Elias was blessed by Apollo. If the boy himself believed it, then why wouldn’t he assume a sign from Apollo was in direct support of his actions? To think the Gods were were in, direct or indirect, support of potential civil war? He could only pray to Athena that wisdom would prevail.
Panos admitted once more shortly after that the boy made a good point; whether it was worth opening the Senate doors for a meeting was debatable. It was surrounded, however, by comments and rhetoric that put the boy’s character in question, as it was common knowledge that he hadn’t regarded the late King Minas as ‘beloved’, and it was clear as day that he was trying to slander Queen Persephone’s name in hopes that would be automatic support in his favor to become King himself after marrying Emilia. Clear as day to Panos, maybe, but some of the mumbling and rumbling from the crowd reminded him that not all knew Elias on the level he did, and his tactic, while transparent, was working.
Elias attempted to end his address with encouragement for any further information regarding the missing Queen. He had clearly failed to read the air, as it were, if he thought he would get away that easily. Surprisingly, and Panos himself was indeed somewhat intrigued, Marietta of Antonis was the first to speak up against Elias. It was rare Panos was privy to political objections from women, apart from that of his own aunt, and Queen Persephone, in such a public sphere - directly outside the Senate, not less. It wasn’t the Senate floor, but it was as close to, given current events. She challenged his regency openly, and flatley, denouncing his divine support in the process. And it seemed the Antonis women had not finished, for the next voice heard was that of Hebe. While a significantly less thoughtful and eloquent as her sister had been, she, too, denounced his regency. The discontent grew among the crowd, many voices as once, seemingly in accord with Marietta’s and Hebe’s sentiment.
Panos narrowed his eyes as he returned to watch Elias, curious how he would respond. The fool was known for impulsivity and rashness, particularly in the face of direct challenges against him.
He wasted no time in denigrating the Antonis girls, using their father’s abdication as leverage. For many, his comments made very short work of cutting the legs out from under the Antonis girl’s, and for those many, his next comments were received just as he would have planned. He conceded to open the Senate, to Panos’ slight, but not altogether unexpected surprise. In the process, he made himself likened almost to a hero or great leader, taking full responsibility of any repercussions that may ensure for opening the Senate without a Monarch, all in the name of doing what was best for Athenia. How very noble he had recently become. The crowd cheered with delight, and the mass around him began to roil and move. He gently made his way through to reach the doors and enter the Senate, the crowd parting quickly when he saw who it was. The same was said for all Senate Lords making their way through the crowd to the doors.
There were several avenues of possible outcomes from today Panos had predicted. Time would now tell which would become reality.
@athena
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Panos’ mind was heavy with thought as he stood in the sun outside the Senate doors. He had mixed feelings about his presence there in the first place. On the one hand, the death of King Minas and the subsequent ascension of his daughter Persephone to the throne was still very recent - and still very raw for some. A law was changed, after all. If the Gods felt that wasn’t enough to deal with as it were, the new Queen disappeared, presumed dead after an attack on the Palati. Suddenly in the wake of the death of one Monarch, the nation was now in a state of limbo, without a Monarch altogether, and unsure whether to mourn and grieve or fight for justice. The worst part of all of that in Panos’ eyes was that now Elias of Stravos was acting as Regent, which could only spell disaster. The Senate opening was necessary to restore some semblance of order to move forward, especially as the people were beginning to riot, to add to the chaos of it all.
On the other hand, the ruling Monarch’s presence is required to oversee Senate meetings, and there is little the Senate can do without the support of the Monarch. More to the point, especially at a time like this, the Senate is unlikely to come to a quick decision to fix the problem, and that means disagreement. Without the ruling Monarch present, there is a large possibility no final decision can be made in their absence, and then the meeting of the Senate would be moot altogether.
All that being said, Panos was also acutely aware of the nuances of the current political and social climate they had all found themselves in the middle of. ‘Unpredictable’ wasn’t quite the right word: any man worth the air he breathes would be able to analyze historical precedent and conclude that they sat on the brink of civil war. ‘Complicated’, was possibly a more accurate summation of the events that brought him, and everyone else for that matter, to the Senate doors today. All the other Lords of the Senate were present, notably Panos noticed Keikelius and Lord Cicero, talking among themselves and Keikelius’ family.
There was a stir and commotion. The temperature around them suddenly seemed to drop, and Panos looked up to see heavy clouds form over the sun, shadow encompassing them all. Moments later, as if he had arranged for it to happen just so, Elias emerged in front of the crowd, and as he did so, the sunshine returned along with its warmth. Murmurs rumbled through the crowd not unlike a wave, and all were silent as Elias addressed them.
...and just as Panos might have expected, he appropriated a supposed sign from the Gods (Panos’ own opinion of the phenomenon was irrelevant) as support in his favor that the day’s gathering and the people’s concerns, particularly those of the Senate, were mere ‘squabbles’ as he so eloquently put it. There, indeed, was a rumor, primarily perpetuated among the Stravos clan, but recognized by many others, including a number in his own, that Elias was blessed by Apollo. If the boy himself believed it, then why wouldn’t he assume a sign from Apollo was in direct support of his actions? To think the Gods were were in, direct or indirect, support of potential civil war? He could only pray to Athena that wisdom would prevail.
Panos admitted once more shortly after that the boy made a good point; whether it was worth opening the Senate doors for a meeting was debatable. It was surrounded, however, by comments and rhetoric that put the boy’s character in question, as it was common knowledge that he hadn’t regarded the late King Minas as ‘beloved’, and it was clear as day that he was trying to slander Queen Persephone’s name in hopes that would be automatic support in his favor to become King himself after marrying Emilia. Clear as day to Panos, maybe, but some of the mumbling and rumbling from the crowd reminded him that not all knew Elias on the level he did, and his tactic, while transparent, was working.
Elias attempted to end his address with encouragement for any further information regarding the missing Queen. He had clearly failed to read the air, as it were, if he thought he would get away that easily. Surprisingly, and Panos himself was indeed somewhat intrigued, Marietta of Antonis was the first to speak up against Elias. It was rare Panos was privy to political objections from women, apart from that of his own aunt, and Queen Persephone, in such a public sphere - directly outside the Senate, not less. It wasn’t the Senate floor, but it was as close to, given current events. She challenged his regency openly, and flatley, denouncing his divine support in the process. And it seemed the Antonis women had not finished, for the next voice heard was that of Hebe. While a significantly less thoughtful and eloquent as her sister had been, she, too, denounced his regency. The discontent grew among the crowd, many voices as once, seemingly in accord with Marietta’s and Hebe’s sentiment.
Panos narrowed his eyes as he returned to watch Elias, curious how he would respond. The fool was known for impulsivity and rashness, particularly in the face of direct challenges against him.
He wasted no time in denigrating the Antonis girls, using their father’s abdication as leverage. For many, his comments made very short work of cutting the legs out from under the Antonis girl’s, and for those many, his next comments were received just as he would have planned. He conceded to open the Senate, to Panos’ slight, but not altogether unexpected surprise. In the process, he made himself likened almost to a hero or great leader, taking full responsibility of any repercussions that may ensure for opening the Senate without a Monarch, all in the name of doing what was best for Athenia. How very noble he had recently become. The crowd cheered with delight, and the mass around him began to roil and move. He gently made his way through to reach the doors and enter the Senate, the crowd parting quickly when he saw who it was. The same was said for all Senate Lords making their way through the crowd to the doors.
There were several avenues of possible outcomes from today Panos had predicted. Time would now tell which would become reality.
@athena
Panos’ mind was heavy with thought as he stood in the sun outside the Senate doors. He had mixed feelings about his presence there in the first place. On the one hand, the death of King Minas and the subsequent ascension of his daughter Persephone to the throne was still very recent - and still very raw for some. A law was changed, after all. If the Gods felt that wasn’t enough to deal with as it were, the new Queen disappeared, presumed dead after an attack on the Palati. Suddenly in the wake of the death of one Monarch, the nation was now in a state of limbo, without a Monarch altogether, and unsure whether to mourn and grieve or fight for justice. The worst part of all of that in Panos’ eyes was that now Elias of Stravos was acting as Regent, which could only spell disaster. The Senate opening was necessary to restore some semblance of order to move forward, especially as the people were beginning to riot, to add to the chaos of it all.
On the other hand, the ruling Monarch’s presence is required to oversee Senate meetings, and there is little the Senate can do without the support of the Monarch. More to the point, especially at a time like this, the Senate is unlikely to come to a quick decision to fix the problem, and that means disagreement. Without the ruling Monarch present, there is a large possibility no final decision can be made in their absence, and then the meeting of the Senate would be moot altogether.
All that being said, Panos was also acutely aware of the nuances of the current political and social climate they had all found themselves in the middle of. ‘Unpredictable’ wasn’t quite the right word: any man worth the air he breathes would be able to analyze historical precedent and conclude that they sat on the brink of civil war. ‘Complicated’, was possibly a more accurate summation of the events that brought him, and everyone else for that matter, to the Senate doors today. All the other Lords of the Senate were present, notably Panos noticed Keikelius and Lord Cicero, talking among themselves and Keikelius’ family.
There was a stir and commotion. The temperature around them suddenly seemed to drop, and Panos looked up to see heavy clouds form over the sun, shadow encompassing them all. Moments later, as if he had arranged for it to happen just so, Elias emerged in front of the crowd, and as he did so, the sunshine returned along with its warmth. Murmurs rumbled through the crowd not unlike a wave, and all were silent as Elias addressed them.
...and just as Panos might have expected, he appropriated a supposed sign from the Gods (Panos’ own opinion of the phenomenon was irrelevant) as support in his favor that the day’s gathering and the people’s concerns, particularly those of the Senate, were mere ‘squabbles’ as he so eloquently put it. There, indeed, was a rumor, primarily perpetuated among the Stravos clan, but recognized by many others, including a number in his own, that Elias was blessed by Apollo. If the boy himself believed it, then why wouldn’t he assume a sign from Apollo was in direct support of his actions? To think the Gods were were in, direct or indirect, support of potential civil war? He could only pray to Athena that wisdom would prevail.
Panos admitted once more shortly after that the boy made a good point; whether it was worth opening the Senate doors for a meeting was debatable. It was surrounded, however, by comments and rhetoric that put the boy’s character in question, as it was common knowledge that he hadn’t regarded the late King Minas as ‘beloved’, and it was clear as day that he was trying to slander Queen Persephone’s name in hopes that would be automatic support in his favor to become King himself after marrying Emilia. Clear as day to Panos, maybe, but some of the mumbling and rumbling from the crowd reminded him that not all knew Elias on the level he did, and his tactic, while transparent, was working.
Elias attempted to end his address with encouragement for any further information regarding the missing Queen. He had clearly failed to read the air, as it were, if he thought he would get away that easily. Surprisingly, and Panos himself was indeed somewhat intrigued, Marietta of Antonis was the first to speak up against Elias. It was rare Panos was privy to political objections from women, apart from that of his own aunt, and Queen Persephone, in such a public sphere - directly outside the Senate, not less. It wasn’t the Senate floor, but it was as close to, given current events. She challenged his regency openly, and flatley, denouncing his divine support in the process. And it seemed the Antonis women had not finished, for the next voice heard was that of Hebe. While a significantly less thoughtful and eloquent as her sister had been, she, too, denounced his regency. The discontent grew among the crowd, many voices as once, seemingly in accord with Marietta’s and Hebe’s sentiment.
Panos narrowed his eyes as he returned to watch Elias, curious how he would respond. The fool was known for impulsivity and rashness, particularly in the face of direct challenges against him.
He wasted no time in denigrating the Antonis girls, using their father’s abdication as leverage. For many, his comments made very short work of cutting the legs out from under the Antonis girl’s, and for those many, his next comments were received just as he would have planned. He conceded to open the Senate, to Panos’ slight, but not altogether unexpected surprise. In the process, he made himself likened almost to a hero or great leader, taking full responsibility of any repercussions that may ensure for opening the Senate without a Monarch, all in the name of doing what was best for Athenia. How very noble he had recently become. The crowd cheered with delight, and the mass around him began to roil and move. He gently made his way through to reach the doors and enter the Senate, the crowd parting quickly when he saw who it was. The same was said for all Senate Lords making their way through the crowd to the doors.
There were several avenues of possible outcomes from today Panos had predicted. Time would now tell which would become reality.
@athena
Lord Stravos was not bothered with Lord Cicero stepped from his company. It was best if the man seemed rather alone in his thoughts. Expression stern and rather guarded against the presence of his own family, the lord crossed his arms against his chest in an equally guarded manner, focusing on anything else but them. That meant that he watched those around him rather than those connected to him. His distance from his family was a good thing. While, to his wife and children, the purpose was to become a double agent, in his own mind, he still did not agree with his own son's actions. This distance made it easier to plan, to think, and to determine his best course of action.
He could keep his thoughts to himself, segregated from the grasp of both his wife and son. Keeping his gaze moving and his entire form guarded, he first found himself observing the young Antonis ladies, though he did not linger long. His gaze temporarily narrowed upon Danae, his expression irritated and speaking of unwilling compromise before he tore himself away from that avenue as well.
Spotting Elias approach the growing crowd of individuals waiting for the Senate to open, Keikelius didn't straighten his shoulders. If anything he let himself appear as if he was dreading this moment, when in fact, he was elated. Not elated because his son would make yet another show of how good he was to his people, but that was a total farce, but elated because that meant he could work. At least for a short period. His focus did not have to be his business for just a few minutes. His focus could be the Kingdom, as it always had been. He may not have been in line for the throne himself, but Elias had been, and Persephone's crowning was a minor setback that had been turned into utter chaos and disarray.
Actions he still did not agree with in the face of keeping Athenia safe and secure.
As Keikelius predicted, Elias gave yet another speech, and the people, yet again did not take it well. He had never, not once, done what was right for Athenia in his time as Princess Emilia's 'advisor', and that left Elias disillusioned from the nobles that he was supposed to be leading forward, not back. Keikelius had no hand in Elias' mistakes because his son had now allowed himself nor his mother that connection. He found it better to take matters into his own hands, and that left his parents wondering what, exactly, had spurred this intense need to ignore the council of people who knew better than him.
Lady Marietta and Lady Hebe spoke out against Elias and Keikelius let his expression grow darker, silently agreeing with them. Elias would not be their king if he did not change his tactics. Holding the Kingdom hostage was not the route that would get him the throne. Not without revolt around the corner. But then the men of the senate were filing toward the dikastrio building and Keikelius followed, finding himself close, once more, to Cicero as they moved.
Keikelius glanced at the lord once more, his expression bleak and irritated by his own child. Then he glanced forward again, walking through the doors and pausing for only a moment to level his son with a black stare. He looked Elias up and down, saying nothing, though the look was enough to express his distaste and anger, some of it fake, but most of it very, very real. Elias was keyed into the plan, regardless of how Elias took his father's behavior. His son knew that Keikelius' job was to act. To make others think that he didn't support his own son's claim to the throne. In this manner, he did not support Elias. Not one bit. Though, the desire was still to see their family on the throne. One way or another. Even if that meant doing away with Elias and maneuvering one of his daughters into the position.
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Lord Stravos was not bothered with Lord Cicero stepped from his company. It was best if the man seemed rather alone in his thoughts. Expression stern and rather guarded against the presence of his own family, the lord crossed his arms against his chest in an equally guarded manner, focusing on anything else but them. That meant that he watched those around him rather than those connected to him. His distance from his family was a good thing. While, to his wife and children, the purpose was to become a double agent, in his own mind, he still did not agree with his own son's actions. This distance made it easier to plan, to think, and to determine his best course of action.
He could keep his thoughts to himself, segregated from the grasp of both his wife and son. Keeping his gaze moving and his entire form guarded, he first found himself observing the young Antonis ladies, though he did not linger long. His gaze temporarily narrowed upon Danae, his expression irritated and speaking of unwilling compromise before he tore himself away from that avenue as well.
Spotting Elias approach the growing crowd of individuals waiting for the Senate to open, Keikelius didn't straighten his shoulders. If anything he let himself appear as if he was dreading this moment, when in fact, he was elated. Not elated because his son would make yet another show of how good he was to his people, but that was a total farce, but elated because that meant he could work. At least for a short period. His focus did not have to be his business for just a few minutes. His focus could be the Kingdom, as it always had been. He may not have been in line for the throne himself, but Elias had been, and Persephone's crowning was a minor setback that had been turned into utter chaos and disarray.
Actions he still did not agree with in the face of keeping Athenia safe and secure.
As Keikelius predicted, Elias gave yet another speech, and the people, yet again did not take it well. He had never, not once, done what was right for Athenia in his time as Princess Emilia's 'advisor', and that left Elias disillusioned from the nobles that he was supposed to be leading forward, not back. Keikelius had no hand in Elias' mistakes because his son had now allowed himself nor his mother that connection. He found it better to take matters into his own hands, and that left his parents wondering what, exactly, had spurred this intense need to ignore the council of people who knew better than him.
Lady Marietta and Lady Hebe spoke out against Elias and Keikelius let his expression grow darker, silently agreeing with them. Elias would not be their king if he did not change his tactics. Holding the Kingdom hostage was not the route that would get him the throne. Not without revolt around the corner. But then the men of the senate were filing toward the dikastrio building and Keikelius followed, finding himself close, once more, to Cicero as they moved.
Keikelius glanced at the lord once more, his expression bleak and irritated by his own child. Then he glanced forward again, walking through the doors and pausing for only a moment to level his son with a black stare. He looked Elias up and down, saying nothing, though the look was enough to express his distaste and anger, some of it fake, but most of it very, very real. Elias was keyed into the plan, regardless of how Elias took his father's behavior. His son knew that Keikelius' job was to act. To make others think that he didn't support his own son's claim to the throne. In this manner, he did not support Elias. Not one bit. Though, the desire was still to see their family on the throne. One way or another. Even if that meant doing away with Elias and maneuvering one of his daughters into the position.
Lord Stravos was not bothered with Lord Cicero stepped from his company. It was best if the man seemed rather alone in his thoughts. Expression stern and rather guarded against the presence of his own family, the lord crossed his arms against his chest in an equally guarded manner, focusing on anything else but them. That meant that he watched those around him rather than those connected to him. His distance from his family was a good thing. While, to his wife and children, the purpose was to become a double agent, in his own mind, he still did not agree with his own son's actions. This distance made it easier to plan, to think, and to determine his best course of action.
He could keep his thoughts to himself, segregated from the grasp of both his wife and son. Keeping his gaze moving and his entire form guarded, he first found himself observing the young Antonis ladies, though he did not linger long. His gaze temporarily narrowed upon Danae, his expression irritated and speaking of unwilling compromise before he tore himself away from that avenue as well.
Spotting Elias approach the growing crowd of individuals waiting for the Senate to open, Keikelius didn't straighten his shoulders. If anything he let himself appear as if he was dreading this moment, when in fact, he was elated. Not elated because his son would make yet another show of how good he was to his people, but that was a total farce, but elated because that meant he could work. At least for a short period. His focus did not have to be his business for just a few minutes. His focus could be the Kingdom, as it always had been. He may not have been in line for the throne himself, but Elias had been, and Persephone's crowning was a minor setback that had been turned into utter chaos and disarray.
Actions he still did not agree with in the face of keeping Athenia safe and secure.
As Keikelius predicted, Elias gave yet another speech, and the people, yet again did not take it well. He had never, not once, done what was right for Athenia in his time as Princess Emilia's 'advisor', and that left Elias disillusioned from the nobles that he was supposed to be leading forward, not back. Keikelius had no hand in Elias' mistakes because his son had now allowed himself nor his mother that connection. He found it better to take matters into his own hands, and that left his parents wondering what, exactly, had spurred this intense need to ignore the council of people who knew better than him.
Lady Marietta and Lady Hebe spoke out against Elias and Keikelius let his expression grow darker, silently agreeing with them. Elias would not be their king if he did not change his tactics. Holding the Kingdom hostage was not the route that would get him the throne. Not without revolt around the corner. But then the men of the senate were filing toward the dikastrio building and Keikelius followed, finding himself close, once more, to Cicero as they moved.
Keikelius glanced at the lord once more, his expression bleak and irritated by his own child. Then he glanced forward again, walking through the doors and pausing for only a moment to level his son with a black stare. He looked Elias up and down, saying nothing, though the look was enough to express his distaste and anger, some of it fake, but most of it very, very real. Elias was keyed into the plan, regardless of how Elias took his father's behavior. His son knew that Keikelius' job was to act. To make others think that he didn't support his own son's claim to the throne. In this manner, he did not support Elias. Not one bit. Though, the desire was still to see their family on the throne. One way or another. Even if that meant doing away with Elias and maneuvering one of his daughters into the position.
Interesting that whatever odd friendship the Antonis girl had held with the Stravos heir had faltered. Enough that Lord Elias would speak out against her family, and Cicero made note of that little slight too. Interesting too, that the young Lord would be so quick to alienate a family such as the Antonis; a house older than his and with significant influence in both the senate and the military of the kingdom he was attempting to lead.
The spymaster’s gaze flickered over the crowds to note reactions to Elias’ words, referencing those who wore looks of shock or outrage versus those who murmured in agreement at the words spoken against Lord Alehandros of Antonis.
It was a clever move, Cicero could afford to be generous in recognising it, that the Stravos heir decided perhaps it would be better if this speech was remembered for something other than sniping at royal houses who might well throw a blockade in his plans if they so wished. Instead, there was a smattering of applause and cheers as the young man decried the Senate would reopen, and after weeks of being barred, the doors were cast open once more.
If anything, the timing was rather inconvenient for Cicero. He’d had plans for the morning that did not involve a lengthy meeting of minds between Athenia’s lords and masters, but that would have to be recalculated now. With a tight-lipped sigh of irritation, the master of secrets turned just in time to see the Antonis girl’s leave, lifting a brow at their hasty exit. He had a half a mind to send a man with them to ensure they returned home safely, but seeing them alight into a waiting carriage had him dismiss the notion as unnecessary. But he would certainly be sending a note to the Lord Alehandros if not calling on him personally.
Content to let the other Lord and Masters move in ahead of him, Cicero watched them file in and then followed after, finding himself close on the tails of the Master of Trade. When the Stravos lord glanced back at him, the spymaster gestured for the other man to continue ahead of him. His curiosity was piqued regarding this very obvious dissatisfaction the man was showing toward his family, but now was not the time nor place to press any further upon that.
Within the walls of the dikastirio, there was an expectant sort of quiet. The senators and masters who were here noticing those who weren’t, and turning some agitated glances toward the man who only now deemed it necessary for them to be able to do their jobs,
Indeed Cicero didn’t see who spoke - though he would make it his business to find out later, certainly - when a voice called out. “My Lord, welcome though your intervention is, why has it taken so long to open the doors? Will you call the rest of the Senate to session now?”
That would be useful. Perhaps there would be a clearer picture then, of those who were putting their faith in the golden Stravos lordling and those whose discontent was aimed not at the misplaced Queen but at the boy who had strutted through the city in her absence, saying much and yet doing nothing.
Perhaps Cicero’s morning would not be so wasted after all.
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Interesting that whatever odd friendship the Antonis girl had held with the Stravos heir had faltered. Enough that Lord Elias would speak out against her family, and Cicero made note of that little slight too. Interesting too, that the young Lord would be so quick to alienate a family such as the Antonis; a house older than his and with significant influence in both the senate and the military of the kingdom he was attempting to lead.
The spymaster’s gaze flickered over the crowds to note reactions to Elias’ words, referencing those who wore looks of shock or outrage versus those who murmured in agreement at the words spoken against Lord Alehandros of Antonis.
It was a clever move, Cicero could afford to be generous in recognising it, that the Stravos heir decided perhaps it would be better if this speech was remembered for something other than sniping at royal houses who might well throw a blockade in his plans if they so wished. Instead, there was a smattering of applause and cheers as the young man decried the Senate would reopen, and after weeks of being barred, the doors were cast open once more.
If anything, the timing was rather inconvenient for Cicero. He’d had plans for the morning that did not involve a lengthy meeting of minds between Athenia’s lords and masters, but that would have to be recalculated now. With a tight-lipped sigh of irritation, the master of secrets turned just in time to see the Antonis girl’s leave, lifting a brow at their hasty exit. He had a half a mind to send a man with them to ensure they returned home safely, but seeing them alight into a waiting carriage had him dismiss the notion as unnecessary. But he would certainly be sending a note to the Lord Alehandros if not calling on him personally.
Content to let the other Lord and Masters move in ahead of him, Cicero watched them file in and then followed after, finding himself close on the tails of the Master of Trade. When the Stravos lord glanced back at him, the spymaster gestured for the other man to continue ahead of him. His curiosity was piqued regarding this very obvious dissatisfaction the man was showing toward his family, but now was not the time nor place to press any further upon that.
Within the walls of the dikastirio, there was an expectant sort of quiet. The senators and masters who were here noticing those who weren’t, and turning some agitated glances toward the man who only now deemed it necessary for them to be able to do their jobs,
Indeed Cicero didn’t see who spoke - though he would make it his business to find out later, certainly - when a voice called out. “My Lord, welcome though your intervention is, why has it taken so long to open the doors? Will you call the rest of the Senate to session now?”
That would be useful. Perhaps there would be a clearer picture then, of those who were putting their faith in the golden Stravos lordling and those whose discontent was aimed not at the misplaced Queen but at the boy who had strutted through the city in her absence, saying much and yet doing nothing.
Perhaps Cicero’s morning would not be so wasted after all.
Interesting that whatever odd friendship the Antonis girl had held with the Stravos heir had faltered. Enough that Lord Elias would speak out against her family, and Cicero made note of that little slight too. Interesting too, that the young Lord would be so quick to alienate a family such as the Antonis; a house older than his and with significant influence in both the senate and the military of the kingdom he was attempting to lead.
The spymaster’s gaze flickered over the crowds to note reactions to Elias’ words, referencing those who wore looks of shock or outrage versus those who murmured in agreement at the words spoken against Lord Alehandros of Antonis.
It was a clever move, Cicero could afford to be generous in recognising it, that the Stravos heir decided perhaps it would be better if this speech was remembered for something other than sniping at royal houses who might well throw a blockade in his plans if they so wished. Instead, there was a smattering of applause and cheers as the young man decried the Senate would reopen, and after weeks of being barred, the doors were cast open once more.
If anything, the timing was rather inconvenient for Cicero. He’d had plans for the morning that did not involve a lengthy meeting of minds between Athenia’s lords and masters, but that would have to be recalculated now. With a tight-lipped sigh of irritation, the master of secrets turned just in time to see the Antonis girl’s leave, lifting a brow at their hasty exit. He had a half a mind to send a man with them to ensure they returned home safely, but seeing them alight into a waiting carriage had him dismiss the notion as unnecessary. But he would certainly be sending a note to the Lord Alehandros if not calling on him personally.
Content to let the other Lord and Masters move in ahead of him, Cicero watched them file in and then followed after, finding himself close on the tails of the Master of Trade. When the Stravos lord glanced back at him, the spymaster gestured for the other man to continue ahead of him. His curiosity was piqued regarding this very obvious dissatisfaction the man was showing toward his family, but now was not the time nor place to press any further upon that.
Within the walls of the dikastirio, there was an expectant sort of quiet. The senators and masters who were here noticing those who weren’t, and turning some agitated glances toward the man who only now deemed it necessary for them to be able to do their jobs,
Indeed Cicero didn’t see who spoke - though he would make it his business to find out later, certainly - when a voice called out. “My Lord, welcome though your intervention is, why has it taken so long to open the doors? Will you call the rest of the Senate to session now?”
That would be useful. Perhaps there would be a clearer picture then, of those who were putting their faith in the golden Stravos lordling and those whose discontent was aimed not at the misplaced Queen but at the boy who had strutted through the city in her absence, saying much and yet doing nothing.
Perhaps Cicero’s morning would not be so wasted after all.