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The day was already hot. It was mid morning and he stood leaning on the balcony outside what he still felt was his father’s study. It was a small room, each wall lined with cubby holes that housed various scrolls or the more rare, like books. On the desk lay maps of Vasiliadon, the surrounding areas, and a small fired clay statue of a chariot with its horses in full gallop.
His eyes burned from lack of sleep and he blinked rapidly to ease the feeling. He hadn’t been sleeping. Whether it was due to being awake all night with his advisors planning or with Aikaterine, or if he went to check on Olympia, his nights were either wholly without sleep, or quick naps. Too many things occupied his mind. And, of course, the Creed and Irakles looming ever present in his darkest thoughts.
A quick knock at the door made him half turn to see a short man bowing.
“Speak.”
“Your majesty,” the little man’s voice was startlingly deep. “Lord Achilleas is here to see you.”
He turned fully around now and looked over the man’s shoulder for his cousin. But the corridor behind the servant was empty. Frowning, he moved back into the shade of the room. The servant glanced up.
“Lord Achilleas is...where?” he raised his eyebrows. “I sent for him two hours ago.”
The servant straightened up from his bow and placed his hands behind his back. “Even now he is at the gate. I knew your majesty was eager for his arrival so I wanted to tell you the second my lord made his appearance.”
“I see...well done,” Stephanos said after a lengthy pause. This seemed to be the praise that the little man was waiting for because he immediately dipped into a deep bow before shutting the door. He glanced at the desk and moved to pick up the little chariot figurine. Turning it over and over in his hand, he thought about the last time he’d actually talked in any meaningful way to his cousin. It was right after the events of the circus when he’d told Achilleas to keep his mother and sisters safe.
They’d both been busy since then.
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The day was already hot. It was mid morning and he stood leaning on the balcony outside what he still felt was his father’s study. It was a small room, each wall lined with cubby holes that housed various scrolls or the more rare, like books. On the desk lay maps of Vasiliadon, the surrounding areas, and a small fired clay statue of a chariot with its horses in full gallop.
His eyes burned from lack of sleep and he blinked rapidly to ease the feeling. He hadn’t been sleeping. Whether it was due to being awake all night with his advisors planning or with Aikaterine, or if he went to check on Olympia, his nights were either wholly without sleep, or quick naps. Too many things occupied his mind. And, of course, the Creed and Irakles looming ever present in his darkest thoughts.
A quick knock at the door made him half turn to see a short man bowing.
“Speak.”
“Your majesty,” the little man’s voice was startlingly deep. “Lord Achilleas is here to see you.”
He turned fully around now and looked over the man’s shoulder for his cousin. But the corridor behind the servant was empty. Frowning, he moved back into the shade of the room. The servant glanced up.
“Lord Achilleas is...where?” he raised his eyebrows. “I sent for him two hours ago.”
The servant straightened up from his bow and placed his hands behind his back. “Even now he is at the gate. I knew your majesty was eager for his arrival so I wanted to tell you the second my lord made his appearance.”
“I see...well done,” Stephanos said after a lengthy pause. This seemed to be the praise that the little man was waiting for because he immediately dipped into a deep bow before shutting the door. He glanced at the desk and moved to pick up the little chariot figurine. Turning it over and over in his hand, he thought about the last time he’d actually talked in any meaningful way to his cousin. It was right after the events of the circus when he’d told Achilleas to keep his mother and sisters safe.
They’d both been busy since then.
The day was already hot. It was mid morning and he stood leaning on the balcony outside what he still felt was his father’s study. It was a small room, each wall lined with cubby holes that housed various scrolls or the more rare, like books. On the desk lay maps of Vasiliadon, the surrounding areas, and a small fired clay statue of a chariot with its horses in full gallop.
His eyes burned from lack of sleep and he blinked rapidly to ease the feeling. He hadn’t been sleeping. Whether it was due to being awake all night with his advisors planning or with Aikaterine, or if he went to check on Olympia, his nights were either wholly without sleep, or quick naps. Too many things occupied his mind. And, of course, the Creed and Irakles looming ever present in his darkest thoughts.
A quick knock at the door made him half turn to see a short man bowing.
“Speak.”
“Your majesty,” the little man’s voice was startlingly deep. “Lord Achilleas is here to see you.”
He turned fully around now and looked over the man’s shoulder for his cousin. But the corridor behind the servant was empty. Frowning, he moved back into the shade of the room. The servant glanced up.
“Lord Achilleas is...where?” he raised his eyebrows. “I sent for him two hours ago.”
The servant straightened up from his bow and placed his hands behind his back. “Even now he is at the gate. I knew your majesty was eager for his arrival so I wanted to tell you the second my lord made his appearance.”
“I see...well done,” Stephanos said after a lengthy pause. This seemed to be the praise that the little man was waiting for because he immediately dipped into a deep bow before shutting the door. He glanced at the desk and moved to pick up the little chariot figurine. Turning it over and over in his hand, he thought about the last time he’d actually talked in any meaningful way to his cousin. It was right after the events of the circus when he’d told Achilleas to keep his mother and sisters safe.
They’d both been busy since then.
Since his return, his thoughts had consisted of little outside of his pending marriage to Theodora. He had nothing to do with the wedding preparations, and had no clue where they were in their progression, but he knew they were happening, because Theo had been busy enough that she was unable to see him on most occasions. He admired how much she seemed to be throwing herself in the wedding preparations, and while it meant he couldn't see her often, he liked to think it was her way of showing how much this meant to her.
Without being able to spend much time with his betrothed, and when he wasn't helping repair the damage to the city, Achilleas had been spending a lot of his time of late in Euticca, his Barony. He had little reason when Theo was busy to go into the city, and after all, he had his mother to take of, as well. She had been cast out of her home by Irakles, for his mistress. It had infuriated Achilleas, and of course, he was happy to care for his mother, offer his own home for her. The further they all were from his tyrannical father, the better.
Achilleas was in his home, poring over some documents that needed his approval, when a messenger arrived, announcing his immediate audience with the King. Killie did not hesitate. Not only was he loyal to his King, but the King was also his cousin, and in their youth, Achilleas, Stephanos and Emilios had been quite inseparable, that was, until their fates pulled them off to war at different times and in different directions.
"Have my horse saddled immediately. I must ride to the Capitol." The slave he spoke to wasted no time, and took off at a run outside to get his master's horse ready. Achilleas was giving some final instructions to another servant when the slave brought his steed to him, where he swiftly mounted and took off.
The ride was hard, but he enjoyed it. There was something so freeing about being on horseback. The sound of his steed's powerful footfalls on the dirt roads in the countryside, the wind in his face. It made him feel invincible.
After maybe two hours of riding, Achilleas had arrived at the Palati, and was dismounting, the reigns taken by a slave. His legs tingled in protest with the new stance of walking as opposed to riding horseback. Another slave greeted him and took him inside to meet with the King. Achilleas followed behind the slave closely as he guided him through Palati. Finally, they came to a room where Achilleas was admitted, but not followed. The door closed behind him, and there, by the window, was his King and Cousin, Stephanos.
"Your Majesty..." Achilleas bent low and held it for a moment, before straightening up again. "You sent for me."
JD
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Staff Team
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Since his return, his thoughts had consisted of little outside of his pending marriage to Theodora. He had nothing to do with the wedding preparations, and had no clue where they were in their progression, but he knew they were happening, because Theo had been busy enough that she was unable to see him on most occasions. He admired how much she seemed to be throwing herself in the wedding preparations, and while it meant he couldn't see her often, he liked to think it was her way of showing how much this meant to her.
Without being able to spend much time with his betrothed, and when he wasn't helping repair the damage to the city, Achilleas had been spending a lot of his time of late in Euticca, his Barony. He had little reason when Theo was busy to go into the city, and after all, he had his mother to take of, as well. She had been cast out of her home by Irakles, for his mistress. It had infuriated Achilleas, and of course, he was happy to care for his mother, offer his own home for her. The further they all were from his tyrannical father, the better.
Achilleas was in his home, poring over some documents that needed his approval, when a messenger arrived, announcing his immediate audience with the King. Killie did not hesitate. Not only was he loyal to his King, but the King was also his cousin, and in their youth, Achilleas, Stephanos and Emilios had been quite inseparable, that was, until their fates pulled them off to war at different times and in different directions.
"Have my horse saddled immediately. I must ride to the Capitol." The slave he spoke to wasted no time, and took off at a run outside to get his master's horse ready. Achilleas was giving some final instructions to another servant when the slave brought his steed to him, where he swiftly mounted and took off.
The ride was hard, but he enjoyed it. There was something so freeing about being on horseback. The sound of his steed's powerful footfalls on the dirt roads in the countryside, the wind in his face. It made him feel invincible.
After maybe two hours of riding, Achilleas had arrived at the Palati, and was dismounting, the reigns taken by a slave. His legs tingled in protest with the new stance of walking as opposed to riding horseback. Another slave greeted him and took him inside to meet with the King. Achilleas followed behind the slave closely as he guided him through Palati. Finally, they came to a room where Achilleas was admitted, but not followed. The door closed behind him, and there, by the window, was his King and Cousin, Stephanos.
"Your Majesty..." Achilleas bent low and held it for a moment, before straightening up again. "You sent for me."
Since his return, his thoughts had consisted of little outside of his pending marriage to Theodora. He had nothing to do with the wedding preparations, and had no clue where they were in their progression, but he knew they were happening, because Theo had been busy enough that she was unable to see him on most occasions. He admired how much she seemed to be throwing herself in the wedding preparations, and while it meant he couldn't see her often, he liked to think it was her way of showing how much this meant to her.
Without being able to spend much time with his betrothed, and when he wasn't helping repair the damage to the city, Achilleas had been spending a lot of his time of late in Euticca, his Barony. He had little reason when Theo was busy to go into the city, and after all, he had his mother to take of, as well. She had been cast out of her home by Irakles, for his mistress. It had infuriated Achilleas, and of course, he was happy to care for his mother, offer his own home for her. The further they all were from his tyrannical father, the better.
Achilleas was in his home, poring over some documents that needed his approval, when a messenger arrived, announcing his immediate audience with the King. Killie did not hesitate. Not only was he loyal to his King, but the King was also his cousin, and in their youth, Achilleas, Stephanos and Emilios had been quite inseparable, that was, until their fates pulled them off to war at different times and in different directions.
"Have my horse saddled immediately. I must ride to the Capitol." The slave he spoke to wasted no time, and took off at a run outside to get his master's horse ready. Achilleas was giving some final instructions to another servant when the slave brought his steed to him, where he swiftly mounted and took off.
The ride was hard, but he enjoyed it. There was something so freeing about being on horseback. The sound of his steed's powerful footfalls on the dirt roads in the countryside, the wind in his face. It made him feel invincible.
After maybe two hours of riding, Achilleas had arrived at the Palati, and was dismounting, the reigns taken by a slave. His legs tingled in protest with the new stance of walking as opposed to riding horseback. Another slave greeted him and took him inside to meet with the King. Achilleas followed behind the slave closely as he guided him through Palati. Finally, they came to a room where Achilleas was admitted, but not followed. The door closed behind him, and there, by the window, was his King and Cousin, Stephanos.
"Your Majesty..." Achilleas bent low and held it for a moment, before straightening up again. "You sent for me."
The second Achilleas was announced a second time, he felt his pulse quicken as anxiety rose. The face of his cousin was nearly as familiar as his own...but things had changed. At the funeral for the late king, they'd exchanged brief condolences. Nothing major. And in the circus, on the bloody, sandy floor where Achilleas had kneels and pledged his fealty, Stephanos had only accepted it and demanded to know one thing in return; Where was Irakles?
His own words were ringing in his ears as he turned to face his cousin. Achilleas's face was handsome, his features arranged into something kind. Even in his more stoic moments, when he wasn't smiling, or even when he was actively frowning, there was very little, if any deception to be found on the general's face. This was a man Stephanos wanted to trust. He needed to trust. And yet, there was Irakles, as always, between them.
Down in the circus, he remembered Achilleas looking confused by the question, the demand to know why his father was absent. Why it was Stephanos's father and brother dead. And why Irakles was perfectly fine. Roaming around Vasiliadon....wherever. Not part of what had been supposed to be a spectacle in honor of Dionysus.
Even now, as he looked Achilleas over, he wanted to demand it again. Like his cousin would be able or willing to tell him this time that Irakles was working tirelessly to put Achilleas on the throne someday. And as much as he loved his cousin, he never, ever wanted Achilleas on that throne.
"I did, cousin, I did." He flashed a brilliant smile and opened his arms for a hug. "It's been quite a long time..." His voice was light, calculated to put Achilleas at ease. Nothing he was going to say was going to make his cousin happy. And even though he hated the man's father with a burning passion, he did not hate the sons.
It was time to see where Achilleas's loyalties lay.
"Come," he said, sweeping his arm toward the desk. In front of it sat two chairs. Stephanos did not take one of these. He went around the desk instead and sat in that chair, putting natural distance between them. His posture was easy, his shoulders relaxed, and he surveyed Achilleas with that same charming smile. "Sit," he urged but it was a couched command.
This character is currently a work in progress.
Check out their information page here.
This character is currently a work in progress.
Check out their information page here.
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The second Achilleas was announced a second time, he felt his pulse quicken as anxiety rose. The face of his cousin was nearly as familiar as his own...but things had changed. At the funeral for the late king, they'd exchanged brief condolences. Nothing major. And in the circus, on the bloody, sandy floor where Achilleas had kneels and pledged his fealty, Stephanos had only accepted it and demanded to know one thing in return; Where was Irakles?
His own words were ringing in his ears as he turned to face his cousin. Achilleas's face was handsome, his features arranged into something kind. Even in his more stoic moments, when he wasn't smiling, or even when he was actively frowning, there was very little, if any deception to be found on the general's face. This was a man Stephanos wanted to trust. He needed to trust. And yet, there was Irakles, as always, between them.
Down in the circus, he remembered Achilleas looking confused by the question, the demand to know why his father was absent. Why it was Stephanos's father and brother dead. And why Irakles was perfectly fine. Roaming around Vasiliadon....wherever. Not part of what had been supposed to be a spectacle in honor of Dionysus.
Even now, as he looked Achilleas over, he wanted to demand it again. Like his cousin would be able or willing to tell him this time that Irakles was working tirelessly to put Achilleas on the throne someday. And as much as he loved his cousin, he never, ever wanted Achilleas on that throne.
"I did, cousin, I did." He flashed a brilliant smile and opened his arms for a hug. "It's been quite a long time..." His voice was light, calculated to put Achilleas at ease. Nothing he was going to say was going to make his cousin happy. And even though he hated the man's father with a burning passion, he did not hate the sons.
It was time to see where Achilleas's loyalties lay.
"Come," he said, sweeping his arm toward the desk. In front of it sat two chairs. Stephanos did not take one of these. He went around the desk instead and sat in that chair, putting natural distance between them. His posture was easy, his shoulders relaxed, and he surveyed Achilleas with that same charming smile. "Sit," he urged but it was a couched command.
The second Achilleas was announced a second time, he felt his pulse quicken as anxiety rose. The face of his cousin was nearly as familiar as his own...but things had changed. At the funeral for the late king, they'd exchanged brief condolences. Nothing major. And in the circus, on the bloody, sandy floor where Achilleas had kneels and pledged his fealty, Stephanos had only accepted it and demanded to know one thing in return; Where was Irakles?
His own words were ringing in his ears as he turned to face his cousin. Achilleas's face was handsome, his features arranged into something kind. Even in his more stoic moments, when he wasn't smiling, or even when he was actively frowning, there was very little, if any deception to be found on the general's face. This was a man Stephanos wanted to trust. He needed to trust. And yet, there was Irakles, as always, between them.
Down in the circus, he remembered Achilleas looking confused by the question, the demand to know why his father was absent. Why it was Stephanos's father and brother dead. And why Irakles was perfectly fine. Roaming around Vasiliadon....wherever. Not part of what had been supposed to be a spectacle in honor of Dionysus.
Even now, as he looked Achilleas over, he wanted to demand it again. Like his cousin would be able or willing to tell him this time that Irakles was working tirelessly to put Achilleas on the throne someday. And as much as he loved his cousin, he never, ever wanted Achilleas on that throne.
"I did, cousin, I did." He flashed a brilliant smile and opened his arms for a hug. "It's been quite a long time..." His voice was light, calculated to put Achilleas at ease. Nothing he was going to say was going to make his cousin happy. And even though he hated the man's father with a burning passion, he did not hate the sons.
It was time to see where Achilleas's loyalties lay.
"Come," he said, sweeping his arm toward the desk. In front of it sat two chairs. Stephanos did not take one of these. He went around the desk instead and sat in that chair, putting natural distance between them. His posture was easy, his shoulders relaxed, and he surveyed Achilleas with that same charming smile. "Sit," he urged but it was a couched command.
