More politics and character intros. I promise there will be more action and adventure soon! I can't wait to get there!

Proteus and Priam came into the meeting room to set up for the meeting but were surprised to find the Captain of the guard Devas patiently waiting for them. He stood as they entered.

"Devas!" Proteus grinned, "I'm sorry, I didn't know you were here."

Devas smiled, "No I'm sorry, I got the time wrong." He laughed, "I thought I was going senile for a bit."

Proteus laughed as well, because the thought of the old man losing his edge was ridiculous to anyone who knew him. Devas was a wiry, handsome old man. His hair was graying on the sides, and his blue eyes were clear. Devas nodded affably at Priam who was chattering excitedly.

"Proteus I was wondering if I could invite general Traea to this meeting." Devas said. "She could really contribute."

Proteus smiled, "She's already been invited."

Devas looked surprised, "Wonderful!" He nodded, "Trust me Proteus, you won't regret it. General Traea is quite brilliant."

Proteus got a funny look on his face, so the plot thickens. "That's what I heard." He'd been told so much about this general he wasn't sure what to believe. At this point Traea sounded more like a character from an epic than a real person.

Just then there was a knock on the door and General Somor entered in followed by one of his lieutenants.

"Good afternoon Your Highness." Somor bowed deeply.

"Good afternoon Somor." Proteus greeted warmly.

General Somor came from a long line of warriors and generals. He was a deeply traditional, and rigid man. He towered over everyone with an enormous bulk and giant sword.

"Devas."

"Hello Somor." Devas smiled impishly. The two often butt heads. "Have you been having fun with the refugees?"

Somor clenched his jaw he saw the devilish look in the Captain of the guard's eye. "Of course." Everyone knew he hated dealing with refugees.

"More are coming in every day, you'll need to expand soon."

"Yes, we will." Somor kept his face neutral, "How about you Devas? Did you find who put graffiti on Lady Tramine's wall?"

Devas smiled, "We have actually."

Thankfully the next general entered and broke the tension that was building into a storm.

"Good afternoon everyone." Ban greeted cheerfully ignorant of the tension in the room. "How are we doing this fine day? Good? Good." He took his seat. General Ban was a rather young general. Just over thirty and popular at court. He had blonde hair and mirthful hazel eyes. He was well known for his skill with a saber.

Somor frowned at the grinning General his disapproval clear in the lines of his face. Somor was nearly fifty. He had an overwhelming amount of black hair around his face. He barely kept it tamed in a beard and horsetail. He had heavy masculine features that could take a beating. They used to call him Somor the bear, because he had fought a bear, barehanded, when he was twelve, and won. He had the scar to prove it running from his ear to his chin. He was a gruff man with a voice like gravel.

Nufrain came in next, a dark and stoic man. He was originally from Arabia, but his family emigrated when he was young. He had beautiful black shining hair and dark walnut skin. He was a man of few words and fewer acquaintances. Proteus wished he could talk to the general more, but found it hard to carry the conversation all by himself. The general was rather nice and insightful when he did speak. He nearly glided when he walked. The beauty of his swordsmanship was legendary across the Mediterranean. He was a little older than Ban but his features were ageless.

They all were chatting, the other two commanders were out dealing with problems and were unable to attend.

Traea came in last. Followed by Machan, a goat, and a cat.

Proteus smiled as Machan came up to the prince and nuzzled his leg in greeting. The goat seemed to be happy bothering Priam, the nervous assistant climbed on top of a chair and trembled as the goat lipped his robe.

"Hello Devas. Long time no see." She kissed the old captain of the guard on the cheek ignoring the menagerie behind her.

"Traea. How was your trip?" Devas embraced her, the cat winding between his legs.

"Uneventful." Traea smiled, "I'm glad to be back in such good company."

Devas laughed and picked up the cat and was rewarded with a claw swipe, "Have you grown again?"

"I can't say I have. Maybe you shrunk?" Traea teased.

Devas laughed, "I've missed you Traea."

Traea smiled and politely turned to Somor and greeted him. He frowned at the collection of animals the general had brought with her.

It went without saying that Somor and Traea weren't on the best of terms. At least they were civil this time around.

Traea clasped hands with Ban and they slapped each other's shoulders with a grin. She and Nufrain nodded to each other, she leaned over to whisper something in his ear and Nufrain gave one of his rare smiles.

Traea bowed to the prince as custom dictated but winked as she got up which brought a smile to the prince's face.

Traea took her seat across the table from the prince. The cat settled on her lap. She seemed to have given up making the animals leave her alone. The goat gave Priam a last nudge before leaving the room looking for something more worthy of his time, and Machan leaned against her leg.

Proteus saw that everyone was seated animals included and started the meeting.

"Thank you for coming everyone, I appreciate you taking the time to help resolve this issue. I've reached out to all of you because I think you're best qualified to come up with solutions. The council wants to find a way to protect the book. I've contacted all of you for solutions." Proteus smiled, "If anyone has any ideas I'd love to hear it, because I'm stumped. Captain Devas would you like to go first?"

Captain Devas grinned, "Yes, yes. Of course." He pulled a scroll out from behind him and laid it out on the long table. "What the council demands it shall receive."

The other Generals chuckled all having a healthy disdain for politics. The old General sighed a long suffering sigh. "Well first of all, we should relocate the soldiers placed on each floor and reconcentrate them on the entrance of the tower, and the top. Also a communication system for the top and the bottom to share information. The shifts should be-"

Priam let two servants in bearing food and drink.

Devas went back to business "I suggest a staggered shift that changes every two hours." Captain Devas said referring to his notes. "it will lessen the chance of someone slipping through the cracks."

"I see."

"now on the subject of divine intervention. I believe we should brick up all the windows."

Proteus frowned, he didn't like that idea.

"It will lessen the chance of a supernatural meddling." Captain Devas said noting the Prince's frown, "The tower won't look as pretty but it's better than the book getting stolen again.

Proteus nodded, "You have a valid point."

The rest of the generals nodded.

Captain Devas nodded, "The rest of my suggestions are minor details that we can review later if you wish, but I wish to hear General Somor's plans since he's been standing over there judging me the entire time."

General Somor huffed and Devas grinned wickedly.

The generals switched places as Proteus put Devas's plans aside.

The general gave his plans to one of the lieutenants who hung it up against the wall. "Here are my plans Prince Proteus. I think firstly that the safest option would be to tear down the tower all together and instead keep the book in a vault within the palace walls."

Proteus sighed, "Do you know how much making a vault specifically for the book would cost General? and the time it would take?"

"I have calculated it." The general said, "The investment would be similar to the repairs and reparations should the book close again." He said, "and time wise would be less than a month."

Proteus nodded.

"If we place the vault in the middle of the castle and hire our best engineers for the job, I believe even the gods will have a hard time getting to it." He said with confidence.

General Devas sighed, "You underestimate the gods Somor."

General Somor frowned, "It's better than your plan of leaving the book exposed."

"May I remind you of Danae? She was locked up underground and the gods came in regardless." Ban spoke up. "I don't think the vault would do much."

Proteus sighed, the problem with both of their plans, was that they involved hiding the book which rather defeated the purpose of the book in the first place.

"Do you have a plan Ban?" Somor asked, "Or are you just going to strike down others?"

"I know a stupid one when I see it."

"Gentlemen, please." Proteus interrupted. "Let's remain civil, Captain Devas, General Somor did not interrupt you when you spoke, so please show him the same curtesy." The general smirked in triumph, "And general Somor, there is no place in the palace for a vault which you have depicted here." He gestured to the massive vault drawn on the plans.

Somor frowned and looked at Ban, "And you Ban? What are you bringing to the table?"

Ban smiled and relaxed, "I think we should consider handing the book over to another city."

Somor stood in anger, "Absolutely not!"

Proteus frowned.

Devas shook his head with a sigh, "I'm completely against it."

Proteus didn't want to say it was his pride but he also didn't want to see the book leave Syracuse. He couldn't pass off their problems onto another city.

Nufrain spoked up, "I believe we should keep it as an option if no better ones arise." He said in his smooth melodic voice.

"We should concentrate on other solutions first and come back to that one if we must." Proteus said.

The generals all wanted to hide the book away. They went through a few more ideas from the lower officers, but none of them were really effective, rather they all made a show of effort, but knowing that in reality should the gods come knocking, their defenses would do very little. But what could they do? The god's did as they pleased, and mere men cannot fight against gods. Proteus's traitorous brain whispered, Except Sinbad. Proteus shook his head and kept on trying to figure it out. Papers, diagrams, and notes were scattered on the long table as all the men at the table argued.

Proteus rubbed his shoulders they were getting tense again. Next to him Priam hurried to scribble down the transcript of the meeting.

The argument grew more and more heated as they all jabbed at each other's proposals.

The cat walked across the table from Traea to Proteus and butted it's head against his face purring. Proteus smiled and pet the cat. It was mostly white with a few black spots, she was a handsome thing with green eyes.

"Did Traea send you over here?" Proteus asked.

The cat continued to purr without answering. Proteus leaned back and the cat curled up on his notes.

Traea scribbled in her notebook and watched the prince who teased the cat. He didn't seem to lose heart even as the meeting went nowhere. The other generals had spoken over Traea about a dozen times. She was used to it and waited patiently.

Finally the argument came to a lull.

Traea stood "I have an idea."

Proteus smiled, he had been waiting. "Go ahead Traea."

Traea nodded and unrolled her scrolls to reveal an intricate ink drawing of the tower. "We should convert the tower into a temple."

Everyone looked at the general like she was crazy.

"And why should we do that?" Somor asked.

She smiled, "We can't defend against the gods, no matter how much we try." She said the uncomfortable truth out in the open, "Let's face it. Humans can't fight gods. Only Gods can fight Gods." She smiled, "Converting the tower into a temple puts the book under the protection of the twelve Olympian gods. If someone wants to interfere with the book they'll have to go through Olympus."

Proteus frowned, "I do not like the idea of involving the gods into our affairs."

Traea sat down again, "They are already involved, and they will be for the foreseeable future, why not use them to our advantage in the mean time?"

Proteus could not see any flaws in the plan, but it was so outlandish and unlike anything he'd ever seen or heard of that he was hesitating. It was brilliant but in the strangest way. The more he thought about it the less flaws he could find.

The others were warming up to the idea but Somor was still holding out.

Somor's booming voice rose above the clamor, "Traea you are out of your mind!"

"I am not."

"Surely you can't be falling for this!" He turned to the others, "It's insanity!"

Devas shrugged, "I approve, it's the best idea we have." He pointed to the drawings and diagrams, "Also these look amazing."

Everyone else nodded in agreement.

Somor slammed his hand down, "That's not the point! To play with the gods is… foolish and insane! We are dealing with forces beyond us."

"But we are also fighting forces beyond us." Traea explained patiently.

"I would say so." Proteus nodded.

"Prince Proteus!" General Somor protested, "You can't seriously be considering this!"

"I will consider all the ideas." Proteus set his pen ready to take notes, "What would the estimated cost be for the tower?"

Traea looked at a paper with notes, "It depends on the how ornate you wish the temple to be but, it would be between five and eight-hundred Danii. Since the structure is already in place it is merely an issue of decoration and rites." She pulled out a paper, "Here's a list of artisans I've put together who can do the work."

Frowning Somor ran his eyes over the drawings, "We don't need another temple. A temple means foot traffic, it makes the book much more susceptible to thieves."

"The tower has twelve stories, only the first floor will be open to worshipers and the book will be on the twelfth, with the guards the book will be more than safe enough from intruders." Traea looked at Somor

Proteus nodded and moving the cat aside wrote down some notes. Her plan seemed well thought out.

"The temple should raise the people's spirits in these trying times, as an added benefit." She rested her elbows on the table looking at Proteus, "So that's a nice bonus."

Ban spoke up, "Traea, is there anyway a thief could scale the tower?"

"I've taken a look." She said tilting her head in thought, "It's possible, just like anything, but it would take a great deal of luck and skill I have yet to see."

Proteus put out the question nagging at him. "I was wondering how you would deter one of the twelve gods from taking the book. I'm not saying it will happen, but I was wondering if you had an idea about it."

Traea quirked a smiled, oh, an interesting question, "Dedicating the temple to all twelve gods will prevent one from taking the book, lest they face the wrath of the others. They will hold each other accountable, in theory."

Proteus frowned slightly, not in disapproval but in thought, "But what if more of them decide to take it?"

Traea pursed her lips, "Well then we should let them take it, if they want it back that bad, they need it more than we do."

Proteus nodded, "I see." He laced his fingers together. "Well I like it."

General Somor stood from his chair, "Your highness! Surely you can't be considering this. She's a god touched- It's… outlandish! Absurd! It'll never work!"

Proteus smiled charmingly, "I apologize, I made the decision without consulting everyone else. I think it's the best plan, but perhaps you have some questions you would like to ask General Traea?"

Somor growled his face turning red as Devas hid a grin and Traea rubbed Machan's head.

Nufrain raised a hand, "I do have some questions."

"Go ahead Nufrain."

Nufrain nodded his dark eyes sharp. "I believe that converting the tower to a temple is the best course of action." He stated calmly. "I do worry if this will provoke the gods to action. There is a certain gamble to your idea, I admit it makes me uneasy."

Traea smiled, "I understand your trepidation Nufrain. However I believe it's a risk we have to take."

General Devas nodded, "Things can't continue as they are."

Nufrain seemed to accept the more experienced general's words and he sat back in his chair.

Ban nodded in approval.

Proteus stood, "If there are no more objections I would like to approve General Traea's plan to convert the tower into a temple."

Somor stayed seated keeping his disapproval silent with much effort out of respect for the other generals.

"That settles it. Traea I'd like your help to present the idea to the council on Thursday." He stood, "Thank you for your time everyone."

The generals and escorts all rose from their chairs and bowed filing out of the room.

Traea came over with the handful of papers and scrolls handing them to Priam explaining the numbers and lists.

"You're Priam right?" She smiled at him.

He nodded nervously.

"I'm a fan."

Priam jumped, "Sorry?"

"I read your essay about the efficiency of our tax collection." She smiled, "It's really insightful."

Priam blushed and stammered out a thank you.

"It couldn't have been easy getting the job of being Proteus's personal assistant." Traea said thoughtfully.

"Oh it was a nightmare." Priam instantly shut his mouth realizing how glib he was being.

Traea laughed, "I can only imagine. I mean he's rather popular isn't he?"

Priam checked to see if anyone was listening, "Half of the scholars in the academy wanted to be his personal assistant. I had to fight them all off."

"I'm guessing they're still out for your job."

"I can't let up for a moment or they'll snatch it from me."

Traea laughed.

Priam decided he liked this lighthearted General. Most of the soldiers were scary but Traea wasn't so bad.

"I hope you're not laughing at me Traea." Proteus joined the two with an amused smile.

Priam jumped and blushed harder.

Traea just grinned and slapped Priam on the shoulder, "I wouldn't dream of it your highness."

Proteus just chuckled in good humor, "Perhaps you could tell me how you came up with that idea then? Of converting the tower into a temple."

Traea pursed her lips, "I took some time to think about it."

"That's it?" Priam asked, "no books?"

Traea shook her head, "Nope. It just came to me."

Priam looked at Proteus wondering if this was a joke that the prince was in on.

Proteus just had a look of bemusement on his face, for some reason he didn't doubt that the answer had just come to the general without study. "You continue to amaze Traea." He smiled.

Traea shrugged, "I'm just glad to have something to contribute, the council would really be on your ass if I didn't." She picked up the cat, "Well I'll be going now. Good luck Priam. Have a nice day your highness." She bowed and went outside, "Ow you mean thing, stop clawing me." She grumbled to the cat as Machan followed happily on her heels.

"She's kinda nice." Priam said.

Proteus raised his eyebrow, "You think so?" How rare.

Priam blushed deep red, "I mean, for a general."

Proteus grinned, "I think she's nice too."

Thanks for reading friends!

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Kisses!