Sorry for the short chapter, usually they'll be a bit longer but I wanted to get the feeling out for readers who aren't sure if they'll want to commit to reading the lengthier chapters. Also im trying to find a beta reader so expects some mistakes and if you have a suggestion or want to beta read yourself please don't hesitate to ask. Thank you all.
"Why in the name of Hades should we ally ourselves with Sparta," one of the Thebean politicians said stepping into the center of the room, "the last thing you did for us was limit our power, if you wanted to put a halt on the Athenian empires growth than why in the name of Zeus would you suspend our power, were the only city state in Bootea that can stand up to the empire, but no sparta decided it was better to let Athens run wild just so they can save face. Now tell me gentlemen of Thebes, what sort of lunatic do the same in Sparta's situation so that I can have a private word with them outside so this whole farce can be dealt with as quickly as it deserves, no thank you Sparta if you want war you can have it on your own." The politician said scanning the room challenging anyone to meet his gaze.
That's when Pollux stepped forward along with another figure except this one wasn't his brother. This one seemed to have persian blood in him, not surprising considering Thebes joined Persia in the Greco Persian war, but i kept that to myself, black hair and a skinny frame unlike that of Pollux who was the one to speak.
"Now hold on, while my companion speaks the truth, he is forgetting the fact that we are closer to Athens then any other city state in this war so far…"
"Exactly" the earlier politician said trying to regain his authority.
"Im not finished," Pollux said raising a hand, "even if Athens is our biggest threat acting with Sparta and Corinth would be in our best interests, if Sparta and Corinth fall who do you think will be next even if Thebes and the rest of Boeotia does align themselves with Athens.
There was a moment of silence following Pollux's speech, even the opposing politician had to recognize that Pollux's argument had made the most sense.
So what if they will," another politician said stepping forward, "you've forgotten one minor detail, he said walking around the centre of the room challenging the gaze of anyone who he thought was opposing him. "We our a pilgrimage destination, while we may be able to handle the other Boeotia cities, Athens is out of the question.
"Well if that's the case then what do you propose we do? Another politician asked stepping forward, "we have almost no army, Thebes was completely devastated in the last war."
All eyes turned on me and Thaila, "um of course we have a plan." I said desperately looking at Thaila to back me up, "field up as big an army you can muster from thebes and the surrounding city states and have them act as a distraction, then the combined armies of Sparta and Corinth can sweep in from the south."
The half persian stepped forward folding his arms, "that doesn't seem what I would expect from a Spartan," he said in a mocking tone.
"Relax Ethan." Castor, the brother of the first polutiotion, Pollux, said, "While I don't agree with the Spartans views on a lot of issues, i think that can be said for the majority of us hear, I must admit that they have a point, the biggest threat facing Thebes is indeed the expansion of the Athenian empire, I say we strike as quickly as possible." Castor said raising his spear.
This earned him a round of applause from the more zealous war hawks of the group, including my sister, I had to remain strained from doing so as well as I didn't want to show any favoritism towards any faction.
Than more and more speeches came and went, to be honest I didn't pay that much attention to any of them, I mostly stood back from the center of the room and spoke with Thaila and Castor who had made his way other to us after his first and final speech in front of the council for the remainder of the evening.
"So, how did the revolt end, were my soldiers of any use?"
I smiled politely, remembering the disturbance that had occurred before I had departed for Thebes. "Yes, everything went fine, even after we sent the Athenians home. Although our sources say that the Athenians gave some of the helots sanctuary in a coastal town, but that can't be helped."
Castor smiled "eye, that sounds like an Athenian ploy, I dont think youll have to wait to long before you can go back home with our alliance secured."
Thaila and I boh raised an eyebrow at this, "I thought we would be able to leave first thing in the morning." Thaila said with me adding in I don't think I should be away from the Capital any longer than absolutely necessary."
"And besides where would we sleep," I added, desperately wanting to be back inside of my own city.
Castor looked behind him back into the crowd of politicians, "it wouldn't be wise to leave before a deal is cut, a few of the more hesitant politicians might think that as some sign of weakness."
I cursed silently, "Corinth wasn't this hard to persuade." I added as Castor turned his attention back to us.
"Corinth wasn't striped of its title and pristiege by their supposed ally. Nor had it its military or navy reduced."
I bit back my tongue trying to avoid saying anything that might put our future alliance in jeopardy, but Castor let a good natured smile cross across his face,
"Don't worry, you two can stay with my brother, I don't mind sleeping in the barracks, as a captain I have a nice and cozy little room."
I looked at Thaila for help to get a way out but she just looked at me and shrugged her shoulders "It's too late to head out now, we might as well stay the night and see how things are in the morning."
I sighed, "you're right, like always." I said before before turning back to Castor, "Thank you for your hospitality."
Castor smiled, "Don't mention it. Come on, I don't need to stay here for the entire thing anyway." he said as turned towards the entrance before looking back, a look of hesitation spread across his face.
"Do you need to stay for a bit longer?" I asked before I noticed who his gaze was settled on.
Castor regained his composure, "I should probably inform Pollux of this arrangement." he said more to himself than me.
"Go ahead," I said.
"I'll be back in a minute, than we can leave." he said before weaving his way through the crowd towards Ethan.
I turned to face Thaila who had an amused look on her face, "That's not his brother I said confused."
It took a little bit longer before we reached Pollux's manor, it was a homely little place two bedrooms a kitchen and two separate siting lounges, Castor told us that this was one of the more accommodating houses and Thaila and I were forced to believe that as the only other house we had been in was our families mansion which consisted of four separate bedrooms, two dining rooms, one for the women and another for the men, four bathhouses a kitchen and three sitting rooms that connected to a stable.
But I digress, that is to say the accommodations we were provided were completely adequate.
"This is where you will be staying." Castor said as he led us through the manor, I apologise for the treatment, visiting royalty would usually be given much more appropriate accommodations, but well…" he said traveling off, presumably to avoid further discussion, but his tone and our past conversations made it clear what he was thinking, "we're not about to give the traitors of Thebes any special treatment."
Thaila smiled, "it will be fine, right Nico?" she said glaring at me, making it seem more like a demand then a question.
"Of course, it will do just fine." I said as Castor led us into our room.
Both Thaila and I looked around the rom, it wasn't anything special, two medium sized beds, for some reason, a small bathhouse and a small closet door that Castor noticed me looking at and smiled.
"Nothing in there, just my backup Kopis and some armor, I keep most of my equipment in the barracks but, well you never know who might try to break into a well furnished mansion.
I nodded, we had the same problem, I would imagine, but a couple well armed guards tended to keep the unwelcome visitors out.
"If that will be all I must take my leave of you, the servant will be around to take care of you, diner will be served around the time Pollux returns, so I took it upon myself to tell the servant to prepare you a tray of olives and cheeses to old you over until the cook whips you up something, until later." Castor said saluting the two of us before he presumably returned to the meating.
The two of us started to accommodate ourselves, I took of the armor I was wearing while Thaila sat on the far bed, staring off through one of the new glass windows, Phoenician no doubt, before turning to me, "when do you think well be able to return home?"
I looked over to her, still in the midst of taking off my musculata, "hopefully tomorrow."
Thaila turned to look at me opening her mouth to respond before I was pulled awake, my dream of evens past faded.
"Prince Nico, your father wants you in his study right away." one of our many servants said standing in the doorway into my room.
"Go away," I said rubbing the tiredness from my eyes.
Whatever," the guard said "I'll just tell King Fletcher you couldn't be bothered to attend ," the guard added closing the door with force.
I realized that this wouldn't end well, so I half-heartedly struggled out of bed calling after the guard that I was coming.
Navigating through the manors halls and around the servants had gotten easier as I realised that applying enough royal charm and intimidation the servants and lesser of the guards would part before me if I seemed to be in a hurry.
I arrived in my father's study about the same time that my sister, Thaila,
He called for you too?" she asked me before the doors, surprised.
I nodded, if he had summoned both of us it couldn't be about that time I ditched studying with Xanthippus to go hunting with the rest of the noble's children.
I shrugged not wanting to let Thaila in on my not so uncommon liaisons.
"It must be about Thebes." Thaila said looking around to make sure no one was within listening distance.
That made sense, it would be the only reason why our father would have called for the both of us as we were both the people to travel to Thebes.
"Well only one way to find out." I said facing Thaila before we pushed open the double doors and entered side by side.
Again, if my depiction of an ancient classical Greek house isn't up to your standards feel free make me question my life's choice of making historically accurate stories. I don't mind. There was a little hiccup in downloading this chapter, all is better now though.
