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There was something about the day that made the princess incredibly uneasy. She couldn't put her finger on it, but from the moment she woke up to the time that she started to prepare to join the women outside the arcus, she just felt... odd. The world had remained such an unassuming place since her father and brother's deaths, but she knew that Stephanos still struggled to trust their uncle. And Stephanos' distrust of the elder man only aided in Xene's own distrust of Irakles. She was not quick to jump to attention whenever the prince passed her in the halls.
Especially now that he had wormed his way into their home, setting Stephanos even more ill at ease.
But there were other items on the princess' mind that morning. Thoughts that would never be spoken out loud so long as she lived. Her strange, if not frustrating, relationship with Fotios was one of those things. But she would not let herself remain distracted. The senate was meeting and it was her duty to show her face in support of her brother.
He would always have her support and she would do absolutely anything to ensure that he knew that. If anything, she and Stephanos were two sides of the same coin... if he could be bothered to remember that she had always stood at his shoulder. His confidant. His informant.
Xene kept her arrival at the Arcus quiet. She wore a crimson colored chiton, her hair done up in tender curls that most women found it difficult to maintain. Xene was a picture of beauty, health, and staunch support for the King among people who might not favor him so. Giving silent nods and slight bows to the women who stood outside, Xene let her gaze flick to the opening doors as the men filed inside.
She stood quietly to the wayside, her guard close at her shoulder, his gaze straight ahead as was expected of him. Tilting her chin just slightly, the princess glanced back at him, "Ears open," Xene reminded him, earning a nod so slight that only Xene would notice it.
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There was something about the day that made the princess incredibly uneasy. She couldn't put her finger on it, but from the moment she woke up to the time that she started to prepare to join the women outside the arcus, she just felt... odd. The world had remained such an unassuming place since her father and brother's deaths, but she knew that Stephanos still struggled to trust their uncle. And Stephanos' distrust of the elder man only aided in Xene's own distrust of Irakles. She was not quick to jump to attention whenever the prince passed her in the halls.
Especially now that he had wormed his way into their home, setting Stephanos even more ill at ease.
But there were other items on the princess' mind that morning. Thoughts that would never be spoken out loud so long as she lived. Her strange, if not frustrating, relationship with Fotios was one of those things. But she would not let herself remain distracted. The senate was meeting and it was her duty to show her face in support of her brother.
He would always have her support and she would do absolutely anything to ensure that he knew that. If anything, she and Stephanos were two sides of the same coin... if he could be bothered to remember that she had always stood at his shoulder. His confidant. His informant.
Xene kept her arrival at the Arcus quiet. She wore a crimson colored chiton, her hair done up in tender curls that most women found it difficult to maintain. Xene was a picture of beauty, health, and staunch support for the King among people who might not favor him so. Giving silent nods and slight bows to the women who stood outside, Xene let her gaze flick to the opening doors as the men filed inside.
She stood quietly to the wayside, her guard close at her shoulder, his gaze straight ahead as was expected of him. Tilting her chin just slightly, the princess glanced back at him, "Ears open," Xene reminded him, earning a nod so slight that only Xene would notice it.
There was something about the day that made the princess incredibly uneasy. She couldn't put her finger on it, but from the moment she woke up to the time that she started to prepare to join the women outside the arcus, she just felt... odd. The world had remained such an unassuming place since her father and brother's deaths, but she knew that Stephanos still struggled to trust their uncle. And Stephanos' distrust of the elder man only aided in Xene's own distrust of Irakles. She was not quick to jump to attention whenever the prince passed her in the halls.
Especially now that he had wormed his way into their home, setting Stephanos even more ill at ease.
But there were other items on the princess' mind that morning. Thoughts that would never be spoken out loud so long as she lived. Her strange, if not frustrating, relationship with Fotios was one of those things. But she would not let herself remain distracted. The senate was meeting and it was her duty to show her face in support of her brother.
He would always have her support and she would do absolutely anything to ensure that he knew that. If anything, she and Stephanos were two sides of the same coin... if he could be bothered to remember that she had always stood at his shoulder. His confidant. His informant.
Xene kept her arrival at the Arcus quiet. She wore a crimson colored chiton, her hair done up in tender curls that most women found it difficult to maintain. Xene was a picture of beauty, health, and staunch support for the King among people who might not favor him so. Giving silent nods and slight bows to the women who stood outside, Xene let her gaze flick to the opening doors as the men filed inside.
She stood quietly to the wayside, her guard close at her shoulder, his gaze straight ahead as was expected of him. Tilting her chin just slightly, the princess glanced back at him, "Ears open," Xene reminded him, earning a nod so slight that only Xene would notice it.
Gianna had become somewhat reserved in the months following her father and brother’s deaths. While of course she mourned for them, her recent withdrawal had been compounded by the knowledge that she could not trust those she believed to be closest to her. Gianna had always been close to her father and had deeply admired Zacharias. With their sudden and tragic absence from her life, the youngest Taengean princess had looked to her uncle, the late king’s brother, for her strength and guidance.
But Stephanos, her beloved second brother, had warned her that Irakles did not have their best interests in mind. He had openly accused the man of murder and treason, confiding in her his belief that Irakles was the one behind the deaths of the late king and crown prince. It was difficult, of course, to think that her uncle could be capable of committing such an abhorrent deed. The days following her revelatory conversation with Stephanos had been tense to say the least. The king had instructed Gianna to act as though nothing had changed, as if everything was alright.
But things were far from alright in the kingdom of Taengea. Beneath the glamour of a town well on its way to healing from the trauma it had experienced, unrest was brewing in Vasiliádon. While Gianna had never been keen on the politics within the court and outside the palace walls, she could feel the electricity of disquiet in the very air everywhere she went. Her own agitation in response had made every interaction with her uncle that much more difficult and strained. Of course, the princess had done her best to avoid Irakles, but since he had convinced the queen mother of the necessity of his presence within the palace walls.
Gianna fought the urge to be sick as Elpis presented her with a chiton of deepest crimson and a golden epiblema, a piece she had not laid eyes on in many years. Elpis must have searched every trunk and wardrobe in the palace just to find it, Gianna realized with an appreciative yet solemn smile directed to the servant. No words were exchanged between the two as Elpis dressed the princess, attaching her chiton at the shoulder with fibulae bearing the Mikaelidas lion. She silently prayed that Athena grant her the strength to face the women of the court who would undoubtedly be awaiting some juicy morsel of gossip to take home and spin to their benefit.
Gianna would especially need the goddess’s strength should she see Meena, her uncle’s mistress. She hugged the epiblema around her shoulders as she thought about the blatant—and some less so—lies the woman had been spreading about Stephanos. Her brother had proven himself to be a perfectly competent king and leader time and time again, so what if his heir was conceived out of wedlock? He had defeated the Creed, that should be evidence enough for the Senate! Shouldn’t it? Gianna shook her head to clear her thoughts, she could not stand to dwell on all of the possible outcomes.
Her trip to the arcus had been a short one. And quiet. Xene had left significantly earlier, leaving Gianna to make the journey on her own, accompanied by a single guard—the most she could put up with in public and the least her mother would agree to. The princess straightened her diadem one last time, pulling free a curl that had managed to get caught in one of its delicate peaks. There was no fanfare with her arrival, thank gods, the crowd was much more interested in the men who were now entering the arcus. A quick scan of the spectators was enough for her to locate Xene who had also chosen their house colors in support of Stephanos.
With a few well-timed strides, Gianna was by her sister’s side, linking her elbow with the older woman’s. Who needed whom, she could not discern, but she did feel a sense of calm just being with her own flesh and blood. She offered Xene a hollow smile before directing her attention to their brother as he filed inside alongside the senators. “He’ll be okay...he has to be,” she stated to no one in particular, not entirely sure who she was trying to convince.
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Gianna had become somewhat reserved in the months following her father and brother’s deaths. While of course she mourned for them, her recent withdrawal had been compounded by the knowledge that she could not trust those she believed to be closest to her. Gianna had always been close to her father and had deeply admired Zacharias. With their sudden and tragic absence from her life, the youngest Taengean princess had looked to her uncle, the late king’s brother, for her strength and guidance.
But Stephanos, her beloved second brother, had warned her that Irakles did not have their best interests in mind. He had openly accused the man of murder and treason, confiding in her his belief that Irakles was the one behind the deaths of the late king and crown prince. It was difficult, of course, to think that her uncle could be capable of committing such an abhorrent deed. The days following her revelatory conversation with Stephanos had been tense to say the least. The king had instructed Gianna to act as though nothing had changed, as if everything was alright.
But things were far from alright in the kingdom of Taengea. Beneath the glamour of a town well on its way to healing from the trauma it had experienced, unrest was brewing in Vasiliádon. While Gianna had never been keen on the politics within the court and outside the palace walls, she could feel the electricity of disquiet in the very air everywhere she went. Her own agitation in response had made every interaction with her uncle that much more difficult and strained. Of course, the princess had done her best to avoid Irakles, but since he had convinced the queen mother of the necessity of his presence within the palace walls.
Gianna fought the urge to be sick as Elpis presented her with a chiton of deepest crimson and a golden epiblema, a piece she had not laid eyes on in many years. Elpis must have searched every trunk and wardrobe in the palace just to find it, Gianna realized with an appreciative yet solemn smile directed to the servant. No words were exchanged between the two as Elpis dressed the princess, attaching her chiton at the shoulder with fibulae bearing the Mikaelidas lion. She silently prayed that Athena grant her the strength to face the women of the court who would undoubtedly be awaiting some juicy morsel of gossip to take home and spin to their benefit.
Gianna would especially need the goddess’s strength should she see Meena, her uncle’s mistress. She hugged the epiblema around her shoulders as she thought about the blatant—and some less so—lies the woman had been spreading about Stephanos. Her brother had proven himself to be a perfectly competent king and leader time and time again, so what if his heir was conceived out of wedlock? He had defeated the Creed, that should be evidence enough for the Senate! Shouldn’t it? Gianna shook her head to clear her thoughts, she could not stand to dwell on all of the possible outcomes.
Her trip to the arcus had been a short one. And quiet. Xene had left significantly earlier, leaving Gianna to make the journey on her own, accompanied by a single guard—the most she could put up with in public and the least her mother would agree to. The princess straightened her diadem one last time, pulling free a curl that had managed to get caught in one of its delicate peaks. There was no fanfare with her arrival, thank gods, the crowd was much more interested in the men who were now entering the arcus. A quick scan of the spectators was enough for her to locate Xene who had also chosen their house colors in support of Stephanos.
With a few well-timed strides, Gianna was by her sister’s side, linking her elbow with the older woman’s. Who needed whom, she could not discern, but she did feel a sense of calm just being with her own flesh and blood. She offered Xene a hollow smile before directing her attention to their brother as he filed inside alongside the senators. “He’ll be okay...he has to be,” she stated to no one in particular, not entirely sure who she was trying to convince.
Gianna had become somewhat reserved in the months following her father and brother’s deaths. While of course she mourned for them, her recent withdrawal had been compounded by the knowledge that she could not trust those she believed to be closest to her. Gianna had always been close to her father and had deeply admired Zacharias. With their sudden and tragic absence from her life, the youngest Taengean princess had looked to her uncle, the late king’s brother, for her strength and guidance.
But Stephanos, her beloved second brother, had warned her that Irakles did not have their best interests in mind. He had openly accused the man of murder and treason, confiding in her his belief that Irakles was the one behind the deaths of the late king and crown prince. It was difficult, of course, to think that her uncle could be capable of committing such an abhorrent deed. The days following her revelatory conversation with Stephanos had been tense to say the least. The king had instructed Gianna to act as though nothing had changed, as if everything was alright.
But things were far from alright in the kingdom of Taengea. Beneath the glamour of a town well on its way to healing from the trauma it had experienced, unrest was brewing in Vasiliádon. While Gianna had never been keen on the politics within the court and outside the palace walls, she could feel the electricity of disquiet in the very air everywhere she went. Her own agitation in response had made every interaction with her uncle that much more difficult and strained. Of course, the princess had done her best to avoid Irakles, but since he had convinced the queen mother of the necessity of his presence within the palace walls.
Gianna fought the urge to be sick as Elpis presented her with a chiton of deepest crimson and a golden epiblema, a piece she had not laid eyes on in many years. Elpis must have searched every trunk and wardrobe in the palace just to find it, Gianna realized with an appreciative yet solemn smile directed to the servant. No words were exchanged between the two as Elpis dressed the princess, attaching her chiton at the shoulder with fibulae bearing the Mikaelidas lion. She silently prayed that Athena grant her the strength to face the women of the court who would undoubtedly be awaiting some juicy morsel of gossip to take home and spin to their benefit.
Gianna would especially need the goddess’s strength should she see Meena, her uncle’s mistress. She hugged the epiblema around her shoulders as she thought about the blatant—and some less so—lies the woman had been spreading about Stephanos. Her brother had proven himself to be a perfectly competent king and leader time and time again, so what if his heir was conceived out of wedlock? He had defeated the Creed, that should be evidence enough for the Senate! Shouldn’t it? Gianna shook her head to clear her thoughts, she could not stand to dwell on all of the possible outcomes.
Her trip to the arcus had been a short one. And quiet. Xene had left significantly earlier, leaving Gianna to make the journey on her own, accompanied by a single guard—the most she could put up with in public and the least her mother would agree to. The princess straightened her diadem one last time, pulling free a curl that had managed to get caught in one of its delicate peaks. There was no fanfare with her arrival, thank gods, the crowd was much more interested in the men who were now entering the arcus. A quick scan of the spectators was enough for her to locate Xene who had also chosen their house colors in support of Stephanos.
With a few well-timed strides, Gianna was by her sister’s side, linking her elbow with the older woman’s. Who needed whom, she could not discern, but she did feel a sense of calm just being with her own flesh and blood. She offered Xene a hollow smile before directing her attention to their brother as he filed inside alongside the senators. “He’ll be okay...he has to be,” she stated to no one in particular, not entirely sure who she was trying to convince.
Smiling. His face ached from small smiles of greeting, even though he interspersed them with a nod of the head here, the clasp of an arm there. Of course, he knew the import of such small cordialities. The man you greet well with a smile in the morning would not forget you when the dark fell. But, Achilleas thought with uncharacteristic irritation, he had worked hard enough that should not be forgotten in the first instance.
Having handed off his horse to a servant to be stabled, the Baron of Euttica was playing the game demanded of him, as usual. Tall enough to look over many of the heads in the room, he spotted his brother, noted the Mikaelidas colours that adorned him and their father both, and wrapped too around his own broad shoulders. A show of strength indeed. He began to thread his way through the crowds toward his brother, taking a wide detour to avoid Meena so he would not be forced to stop and make small talk with her also.
Emilios did not usually have to endure these sessions, and the older brother could not prevent the smile that played upon his face as he reached the younger. “ Do not look so glum, brother” he said. “And instead be grateful for all the times you have not had to drag your sorry self to these meetings of the wise and wonderful” He clasped his sibling’s shoulder briefly, before flanking him and looking at the rest of the assembled nobles.
“It is a good turn out” he noted, side eying Emilios and wondering if he knew what any of this was about, why his brother had chosen this meet to attend. Irakles, standing with Fotios, was no doubt sewing his intentions right, left and centre as he would always be at such a gathering, but he could not be sure that included his brother. He knew too that he was being lazy in choosing his sibling to talk with, rather than speaking with those others he could see who might be more advantageous to engage in conversation. But there would be time for all that later, and for now he was content to stand with Emilios.
They had not long to wait, before movement began to open the doors to the chambers and get the session underway, and Achilleas straightened as he prepared to file in after the others. “Do not worry, I shall kick you if you fall asleep” he added in an undertone to the man beside him, that smile back again as he moved forward to take his seat.
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This character is currently a work in progress.
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Smiling. His face ached from small smiles of greeting, even though he interspersed them with a nod of the head here, the clasp of an arm there. Of course, he knew the import of such small cordialities. The man you greet well with a smile in the morning would not forget you when the dark fell. But, Achilleas thought with uncharacteristic irritation, he had worked hard enough that should not be forgotten in the first instance.
Having handed off his horse to a servant to be stabled, the Baron of Euttica was playing the game demanded of him, as usual. Tall enough to look over many of the heads in the room, he spotted his brother, noted the Mikaelidas colours that adorned him and their father both, and wrapped too around his own broad shoulders. A show of strength indeed. He began to thread his way through the crowds toward his brother, taking a wide detour to avoid Meena so he would not be forced to stop and make small talk with her also.
Emilios did not usually have to endure these sessions, and the older brother could not prevent the smile that played upon his face as he reached the younger. “ Do not look so glum, brother” he said. “And instead be grateful for all the times you have not had to drag your sorry self to these meetings of the wise and wonderful” He clasped his sibling’s shoulder briefly, before flanking him and looking at the rest of the assembled nobles.
“It is a good turn out” he noted, side eying Emilios and wondering if he knew what any of this was about, why his brother had chosen this meet to attend. Irakles, standing with Fotios, was no doubt sewing his intentions right, left and centre as he would always be at such a gathering, but he could not be sure that included his brother. He knew too that he was being lazy in choosing his sibling to talk with, rather than speaking with those others he could see who might be more advantageous to engage in conversation. But there would be time for all that later, and for now he was content to stand with Emilios.
They had not long to wait, before movement began to open the doors to the chambers and get the session underway, and Achilleas straightened as he prepared to file in after the others. “Do not worry, I shall kick you if you fall asleep” he added in an undertone to the man beside him, that smile back again as he moved forward to take his seat.
Smiling. His face ached from small smiles of greeting, even though he interspersed them with a nod of the head here, the clasp of an arm there. Of course, he knew the import of such small cordialities. The man you greet well with a smile in the morning would not forget you when the dark fell. But, Achilleas thought with uncharacteristic irritation, he had worked hard enough that should not be forgotten in the first instance.
Having handed off his horse to a servant to be stabled, the Baron of Euttica was playing the game demanded of him, as usual. Tall enough to look over many of the heads in the room, he spotted his brother, noted the Mikaelidas colours that adorned him and their father both, and wrapped too around his own broad shoulders. A show of strength indeed. He began to thread his way through the crowds toward his brother, taking a wide detour to avoid Meena so he would not be forced to stop and make small talk with her also.
Emilios did not usually have to endure these sessions, and the older brother could not prevent the smile that played upon his face as he reached the younger. “ Do not look so glum, brother” he said. “And instead be grateful for all the times you have not had to drag your sorry self to these meetings of the wise and wonderful” He clasped his sibling’s shoulder briefly, before flanking him and looking at the rest of the assembled nobles.
“It is a good turn out” he noted, side eying Emilios and wondering if he knew what any of this was about, why his brother had chosen this meet to attend. Irakles, standing with Fotios, was no doubt sewing his intentions right, left and centre as he would always be at such a gathering, but he could not be sure that included his brother. He knew too that he was being lazy in choosing his sibling to talk with, rather than speaking with those others he could see who might be more advantageous to engage in conversation. But there would be time for all that later, and for now he was content to stand with Emilios.
They had not long to wait, before movement began to open the doors to the chambers and get the session underway, and Achilleas straightened as he prepared to file in after the others. “Do not worry, I shall kick you if you fall asleep” he added in an undertone to the man beside him, that smile back again as he moved forward to take his seat.
Fotios might have considered him a chess player... a little puppet master of his own making, as he influenced the subordinates he had under his control to try and effect the events and circumstances around him. His intellect was well regarded in the Senate. His habits of joining women (and sometimes men) in their beds were a common rumour that flurried occasionally around the Court. All such things might have led to a man with an ostentatious presence or who was centre of attention in amongst the circles of nobility. But this just wasn't the case. Irakles had always been front and centre. Whether it was the praise over his courage and military prowess or gossip circulating his live in mistress. Either way, of the two of them, Irakles had always been front and centre. And Fotios was the barely noticed and hardly recognises shadow in the background. Yes, he was spoken of in whispered occasionally and yes he was the Head of his House and held certain sway... but he certainly wasn't a show-boating master of society in the same way Irakles and his nephew Stephanos were.
Fotios found it almost amusing how much like him his nephew was and yet Irakles didn't see any such connection.
Keeping his mouth firmly shut on that topic (after all, a few similarities were far outweighed by the clear superiority of the older Mikaelidas in terms of ability to rule), Fotios simply nodded in an almost demure manner towards Prince Irakles and followed at his instruction, heading towards the open doors that took the men of the nobility plus the immediate female members of royalty (the King's young sisters, Gianna and Xene, as Irakles had managed to convince Elise to stay back at the palace), through and under the large amphitheatre seating and out into the open circular space that was their own air dikastirio.
Moving to go and take his seat where he could be most useful - away from Irakles and within a group of men that he knew well and might be able to influence as and when needed with a clever, murmured comment - Fotios made no exaggerated behaviour that might draw attention his way as he settled down on his stone step and awaited the proceedings to begin.
Outside the arcus, Fotios' wife still stood with Meena, having smiled kindly when her closest friend had complimented her raiment, adding the flashing of her eyes when it came to a comment regarding the Queen Olympia.
"I would think her to arrive with her husband, if she meant to at all." She commented, looking around to see if she could spy the Queen, before looking back towards Meena. "I can't help but wonder what people might think that even the Queen does not support the King in his first large public address..." She offered in a tone of pure concern for the woman and careful to ensure that her volume sounded natural but was able to be heard by a few of the Condos noble lords' wives standing just to one side.
Linking her arm with her friend, Eirini smiled at the woman, biting her lip slightly and then offering a raised chin and an elegant air of haughtiness.
"Let us, indeed, see what there is to be seen of such company, my dearest Meena." Allowing her friend to take the lead in escorting the two of them around the sweeping outer pathway of the arcus where the noble women of Taengea congregated in small groups. As if they were the prey banding together and Eirini and Meena the predators who meandered between the groups attracting their attention, fear and adoring respect.
Olympia might have been the Queen, but it was Eirini and Meena who knew what it meant to rule the Court...
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This character is currently a work in progress.
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Fotios might have considered him a chess player... a little puppet master of his own making, as he influenced the subordinates he had under his control to try and effect the events and circumstances around him. His intellect was well regarded in the Senate. His habits of joining women (and sometimes men) in their beds were a common rumour that flurried occasionally around the Court. All such things might have led to a man with an ostentatious presence or who was centre of attention in amongst the circles of nobility. But this just wasn't the case. Irakles had always been front and centre. Whether it was the praise over his courage and military prowess or gossip circulating his live in mistress. Either way, of the two of them, Irakles had always been front and centre. And Fotios was the barely noticed and hardly recognises shadow in the background. Yes, he was spoken of in whispered occasionally and yes he was the Head of his House and held certain sway... but he certainly wasn't a show-boating master of society in the same way Irakles and his nephew Stephanos were.
Fotios found it almost amusing how much like him his nephew was and yet Irakles didn't see any such connection.
Keeping his mouth firmly shut on that topic (after all, a few similarities were far outweighed by the clear superiority of the older Mikaelidas in terms of ability to rule), Fotios simply nodded in an almost demure manner towards Prince Irakles and followed at his instruction, heading towards the open doors that took the men of the nobility plus the immediate female members of royalty (the King's young sisters, Gianna and Xene, as Irakles had managed to convince Elise to stay back at the palace), through and under the large amphitheatre seating and out into the open circular space that was their own air dikastirio.
Moving to go and take his seat where he could be most useful - away from Irakles and within a group of men that he knew well and might be able to influence as and when needed with a clever, murmured comment - Fotios made no exaggerated behaviour that might draw attention his way as he settled down on his stone step and awaited the proceedings to begin.
Outside the arcus, Fotios' wife still stood with Meena, having smiled kindly when her closest friend had complimented her raiment, adding the flashing of her eyes when it came to a comment regarding the Queen Olympia.
"I would think her to arrive with her husband, if she meant to at all." She commented, looking around to see if she could spy the Queen, before looking back towards Meena. "I can't help but wonder what people might think that even the Queen does not support the King in his first large public address..." She offered in a tone of pure concern for the woman and careful to ensure that her volume sounded natural but was able to be heard by a few of the Condos noble lords' wives standing just to one side.
Linking her arm with her friend, Eirini smiled at the woman, biting her lip slightly and then offering a raised chin and an elegant air of haughtiness.
"Let us, indeed, see what there is to be seen of such company, my dearest Meena." Allowing her friend to take the lead in escorting the two of them around the sweeping outer pathway of the arcus where the noble women of Taengea congregated in small groups. As if they were the prey banding together and Eirini and Meena the predators who meandered between the groups attracting their attention, fear and adoring respect.
Olympia might have been the Queen, but it was Eirini and Meena who knew what it meant to rule the Court...
Fotios might have considered him a chess player... a little puppet master of his own making, as he influenced the subordinates he had under his control to try and effect the events and circumstances around him. His intellect was well regarded in the Senate. His habits of joining women (and sometimes men) in their beds were a common rumour that flurried occasionally around the Court. All such things might have led to a man with an ostentatious presence or who was centre of attention in amongst the circles of nobility. But this just wasn't the case. Irakles had always been front and centre. Whether it was the praise over his courage and military prowess or gossip circulating his live in mistress. Either way, of the two of them, Irakles had always been front and centre. And Fotios was the barely noticed and hardly recognises shadow in the background. Yes, he was spoken of in whispered occasionally and yes he was the Head of his House and held certain sway... but he certainly wasn't a show-boating master of society in the same way Irakles and his nephew Stephanos were.
Fotios found it almost amusing how much like him his nephew was and yet Irakles didn't see any such connection.
Keeping his mouth firmly shut on that topic (after all, a few similarities were far outweighed by the clear superiority of the older Mikaelidas in terms of ability to rule), Fotios simply nodded in an almost demure manner towards Prince Irakles and followed at his instruction, heading towards the open doors that took the men of the nobility plus the immediate female members of royalty (the King's young sisters, Gianna and Xene, as Irakles had managed to convince Elise to stay back at the palace), through and under the large amphitheatre seating and out into the open circular space that was their own air dikastirio.
Moving to go and take his seat where he could be most useful - away from Irakles and within a group of men that he knew well and might be able to influence as and when needed with a clever, murmured comment - Fotios made no exaggerated behaviour that might draw attention his way as he settled down on his stone step and awaited the proceedings to begin.
Outside the arcus, Fotios' wife still stood with Meena, having smiled kindly when her closest friend had complimented her raiment, adding the flashing of her eyes when it came to a comment regarding the Queen Olympia.
"I would think her to arrive with her husband, if she meant to at all." She commented, looking around to see if she could spy the Queen, before looking back towards Meena. "I can't help but wonder what people might think that even the Queen does not support the King in his first large public address..." She offered in a tone of pure concern for the woman and careful to ensure that her volume sounded natural but was able to be heard by a few of the Condos noble lords' wives standing just to one side.
Linking her arm with her friend, Eirini smiled at the woman, biting her lip slightly and then offering a raised chin and an elegant air of haughtiness.
"Let us, indeed, see what there is to be seen of such company, my dearest Meena." Allowing her friend to take the lead in escorting the two of them around the sweeping outer pathway of the arcus where the noble women of Taengea congregated in small groups. As if they were the prey banding together and Eirini and Meena the predators who meandered between the groups attracting their attention, fear and adoring respect.
Olympia might have been the Queen, but it was Eirini and Meena who knew what it meant to rule the Court...
At Irakles’s curt response, Stephanos just laughed. For everything, yes, everything, Irakles had a reason. Whether that reason was somehow to the good of the House or to Taengea itself, Stephanos found it a little difficult to believe that looking resplendent would somehow fix the problems of Greece as a whole, though his uncle certainly seemed to think this was the case. Though he wanted so badly to roll his eyes at Irakles’s back, he didn’t do such a childish thing. Instead he gave a tight smile, and turned away just in time to nearly bump into Lord Fotios.
“My lord,” he said dryly, gave a nod, and watched the bow as Fotios passed him to see to his wife. Rather than follow the prince and lords Fotios and Nikolias where people were still gathering, Stephanos shook his head and placed his hands on his hips, looking around at the near empty amphitheater. Soon it would be filled with the barons and their sons, with women of the court waiting outside. Usually this was such a boring place to be, and while he had no doubt it would become dull towards the middle, he wasn’t eager to face the barons.
His last run in with the entire court in attendance had been not overly encouraging and he didn’t expect this to be much better. He’d defeated the Creed, it was true, but after the death of the Creed leader and the revelation that the Creed had help from somewhere inside the palati, Stephanos had slept a whole lot less soundly than he’d done before - hardly at all.
Before he’d taken to drinking himself to sleep, but as of late, he didn’t want to be that out of his senses, in case Irakles decided to come to Pia’s rooms to finish the job, which was where Stephanos had chosen to sleep every night for the last month. He didn’t want Olympia alone with anyone he didn’t trust, for any reason. She also wasn’t here because he didn’t want her to walk this far from the palati. Perhaps it was over cautious, but with the way life had the tendency of going as of late, he was more than content to be too safe than too reckless.
As he made his way to the platform upon which he would sit and watch over the proceedings, he noticed Lord Gavriil enter and take his seat. There, Stephanos thought. He had at least one person who wasn’t going to stone him if he didn’t get everything perfect.
Those bitter thoughts carried him to the throne and there he sat. It was the motion that would call the rest of the lords and barons in, and would start the proceedings.
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At Irakles’s curt response, Stephanos just laughed. For everything, yes, everything, Irakles had a reason. Whether that reason was somehow to the good of the House or to Taengea itself, Stephanos found it a little difficult to believe that looking resplendent would somehow fix the problems of Greece as a whole, though his uncle certainly seemed to think this was the case. Though he wanted so badly to roll his eyes at Irakles’s back, he didn’t do such a childish thing. Instead he gave a tight smile, and turned away just in time to nearly bump into Lord Fotios.
“My lord,” he said dryly, gave a nod, and watched the bow as Fotios passed him to see to his wife. Rather than follow the prince and lords Fotios and Nikolias where people were still gathering, Stephanos shook his head and placed his hands on his hips, looking around at the near empty amphitheater. Soon it would be filled with the barons and their sons, with women of the court waiting outside. Usually this was such a boring place to be, and while he had no doubt it would become dull towards the middle, he wasn’t eager to face the barons.
His last run in with the entire court in attendance had been not overly encouraging and he didn’t expect this to be much better. He’d defeated the Creed, it was true, but after the death of the Creed leader and the revelation that the Creed had help from somewhere inside the palati, Stephanos had slept a whole lot less soundly than he’d done before - hardly at all.
Before he’d taken to drinking himself to sleep, but as of late, he didn’t want to be that out of his senses, in case Irakles decided to come to Pia’s rooms to finish the job, which was where Stephanos had chosen to sleep every night for the last month. He didn’t want Olympia alone with anyone he didn’t trust, for any reason. She also wasn’t here because he didn’t want her to walk this far from the palati. Perhaps it was over cautious, but with the way life had the tendency of going as of late, he was more than content to be too safe than too reckless.
As he made his way to the platform upon which he would sit and watch over the proceedings, he noticed Lord Gavriil enter and take his seat. There, Stephanos thought. He had at least one person who wasn’t going to stone him if he didn’t get everything perfect.
Those bitter thoughts carried him to the throne and there he sat. It was the motion that would call the rest of the lords and barons in, and would start the proceedings.
At Irakles’s curt response, Stephanos just laughed. For everything, yes, everything, Irakles had a reason. Whether that reason was somehow to the good of the House or to Taengea itself, Stephanos found it a little difficult to believe that looking resplendent would somehow fix the problems of Greece as a whole, though his uncle certainly seemed to think this was the case. Though he wanted so badly to roll his eyes at Irakles’s back, he didn’t do such a childish thing. Instead he gave a tight smile, and turned away just in time to nearly bump into Lord Fotios.
“My lord,” he said dryly, gave a nod, and watched the bow as Fotios passed him to see to his wife. Rather than follow the prince and lords Fotios and Nikolias where people were still gathering, Stephanos shook his head and placed his hands on his hips, looking around at the near empty amphitheater. Soon it would be filled with the barons and their sons, with women of the court waiting outside. Usually this was such a boring place to be, and while he had no doubt it would become dull towards the middle, he wasn’t eager to face the barons.
His last run in with the entire court in attendance had been not overly encouraging and he didn’t expect this to be much better. He’d defeated the Creed, it was true, but after the death of the Creed leader and the revelation that the Creed had help from somewhere inside the palati, Stephanos had slept a whole lot less soundly than he’d done before - hardly at all.
Before he’d taken to drinking himself to sleep, but as of late, he didn’t want to be that out of his senses, in case Irakles decided to come to Pia’s rooms to finish the job, which was where Stephanos had chosen to sleep every night for the last month. He didn’t want Olympia alone with anyone he didn’t trust, for any reason. She also wasn’t here because he didn’t want her to walk this far from the palati. Perhaps it was over cautious, but with the way life had the tendency of going as of late, he was more than content to be too safe than too reckless.
As he made his way to the platform upon which he would sit and watch over the proceedings, he noticed Lord Gavriil enter and take his seat. There, Stephanos thought. He had at least one person who wasn’t going to stone him if he didn’t get everything perfect.
Those bitter thoughts carried him to the throne and there he sat. It was the motion that would call the rest of the lords and barons in, and would start the proceedings.
He realized belatedly, that the King's whole family was there -or his siblings were, anyway. Irakles had to admit, he was mildly surprised that his sister-in-law did not make an appearance. Whilst he had shared an evening repast with Elise the night before, she had mentioned that she hoped the Senate would go well, for she knew many things had to be tabled, and things had yet to completely settle since the death of her husband. Queen Elise often went to Senate to show her support, and had been adamant in attending. Yet, it was also likely that his words had had some effect. It was either that, or the fact that Olympia's remaining in the palati had made Elise feel as if she should be there for her unborn grandchild should anything happen.
Good for Irakles. He did not need Elise to complicate matters.
Following behind Fotios and Nikolias, Irakles's progress to the amphitheatre was a tad slower then others, as he stopped to speak to people regarding matters. Most of which had came to look for him, if only to reconfirm that things had not changed since he had discussed with them over many meals he had shared with the Taengean nobility. To them, Irakles reassured nothing had changed. Others also came to check in on him, barons who had always had fealty to the Mikaelidas' family, and answered to him as their leader. Irakles smiled at them, profusely thanked them for coming, and invited them inside.
By the time the prince managed to finally find his way in the amphitheatre, many had already found their seats, and his nephew himself was making his way to a platform meant for the leader of the Kingdom to take a seat, as the Chief Advisor to the Taengean crown took center stage to began the Senate meet, which only began upon the arrival and seating of all the barons and nobility who had chosen to attend the day's meet.
When the Chief Advisor called for the meet to begin, the rustle of humans and voices settling down signified the start of the day. Many barons came forward to discuss certain matters - taxation issues, law amendments, insufficient funds and requests for more funds to assist in their crops as the weather turned. Most of them were discussed among the baron and nobility who owned a seat within the court, some taking longer then others. No one knew of anything different - for Irakles had advised those he had spoken with, that he would act depending on matters. Appearing amicable and amiable to the end, he assured the nobles and lords that, should Stephanos act differently or step up within the time leading up to the Senate meet, he would not call upon their help.
But of course, what they did not know, was that whether or not he stepped up, nothing would matter when Irakles got his say.
The discussions went on for quite some time, not that any of the lords were surprised,f or such was the nature of Senate meets. Each time an issue was brought up, the lord who had raised the issue would take his place to the floor that the Chief Advisor would give up, and then return once the matter was resolved. All discussions were mediated and directed by the Chief Advisor and his two assistants, and the process of a Senatorial meet had always been lengthy, yet it was a process Irakles had watched his whole life, it would be an understatement to say he was used to such matters.
It was towards the end, as the discussions tapered off, and the Chief Advisor repeated his question on whether or not any other matters had to be tabled. In the midst of the silence, Irakles raised his arm, and straightened up from his seat. Even through the silence, a formidable hush fell across the amphitheatre as he made his way down the steps from where his seat had been close to Fotios and Nikolias. The whole time, Irakles had remained silent, not even speaking as discussions happened. But now, it was as if his steps down the stairwell resonated within the cavernous theatre the Taengean nobility sat in, all eyes on him as he arrived at the platform, and gave a polite nod to the Chief Advisor as he was allowed the stage.
Was he nervous? No. Anxious? Not really. Excited... perhaps.
"My lords, it is with great worry that I address the Senate today, for I would like to present a matter that has reached my ears." Pausing for effect, his eyes roamed on everyone within the hall, face arranged in to a troubled one as he continued. "I am sure we are all still reeling from the loss of our beloved King, for my brother was a great leader for our kingdom. His loss is still greatly felt, especially within the Palati, which I have been residing of late as requested by my sister-in-law."
"However, the question is, why do I need to reside within?"
Again, he paused, and this time, whispers began to make their way across the hall. Irakles allowed it, his hands remaining by his sides as he again let his eyes roam, before resuming. "I would not have been concerned, for we all know that being a leader is a learning curve - steeper for some then others." A wry smile had found its way on his lips, and some chuckled with him, before continuing. "But what worries me, my lords, is that we are gambling the fate of our beloved Kingdom, on a learning curve."
This time, another hush fell.
"I am willing to assist my nephew, no matter how long it takes. I have worked tirelessly to help him in his fresh days as King," many murmured agreement, for Irakles had certainly presented himself in many events, showing his care and concern for many in the wake of the cultist attack. "... and I will continued to do so. Yet my nephew is... fresh. And at this point, he has yet to strike confidence in me, despite watching him work ever since. I do not like to hold someone's past against them, but a king who carouses and leaves bastard children like one would leave a trail of crumbs, is unbecoming. And we have yet to wonder why our new Queen is due to give birth so soon, when they had just been married a scarce three months?"
"But perhaps what I fear most, is rash actions. The King did not stop to consider the lost of lives, before he led an army of Taengean sons to the gorge. While victory may be had on the day...but at what cost? Dowager Queen Elise asks me to remain in the palati because she fears for the future of Taengea... and now, I do too." His tone was sombre, his voice echoing throughout the chamber, as he let his gaze reach every lord in attendance. "The news that reached my ears last eve, unsettles me, my lords. I would be willing to pardon, and chalk everything above as young, green inexperience for my nephew. But my advisors has told me that just a few days after the attack at the Dikasitrio, some have caught sight of a running through a panicked and scared capitol of Vasiliadon. And what was seen briefly on the finger of the cloaked figure... was a ring, exactly the same as the one worn on our current King's thumb. A man was killed that night, violently. People screamed, and ran, but.... they saw what they saw."
The whispers grew, to a point where the Chief Advisor had to step forward and raise both arms, before the voices calm down enough for the retired general to speak again, this time in a voice more tired then he had used earlier.
"I do not wish this upon my own nephew, my lords. It pains me a great deal to have to bring up this discussion, but I fear... what I have been investigating for the past month needs to be brought to light, for I think my brother deserves justice, and that our kingdom deserves much more, then a murderer for a King."
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He realized belatedly, that the King's whole family was there -or his siblings were, anyway. Irakles had to admit, he was mildly surprised that his sister-in-law did not make an appearance. Whilst he had shared an evening repast with Elise the night before, she had mentioned that she hoped the Senate would go well, for she knew many things had to be tabled, and things had yet to completely settle since the death of her husband. Queen Elise often went to Senate to show her support, and had been adamant in attending. Yet, it was also likely that his words had had some effect. It was either that, or the fact that Olympia's remaining in the palati had made Elise feel as if she should be there for her unborn grandchild should anything happen.
Good for Irakles. He did not need Elise to complicate matters.
Following behind Fotios and Nikolias, Irakles's progress to the amphitheatre was a tad slower then others, as he stopped to speak to people regarding matters. Most of which had came to look for him, if only to reconfirm that things had not changed since he had discussed with them over many meals he had shared with the Taengean nobility. To them, Irakles reassured nothing had changed. Others also came to check in on him, barons who had always had fealty to the Mikaelidas' family, and answered to him as their leader. Irakles smiled at them, profusely thanked them for coming, and invited them inside.
By the time the prince managed to finally find his way in the amphitheatre, many had already found their seats, and his nephew himself was making his way to a platform meant for the leader of the Kingdom to take a seat, as the Chief Advisor to the Taengean crown took center stage to began the Senate meet, which only began upon the arrival and seating of all the barons and nobility who had chosen to attend the day's meet.
When the Chief Advisor called for the meet to begin, the rustle of humans and voices settling down signified the start of the day. Many barons came forward to discuss certain matters - taxation issues, law amendments, insufficient funds and requests for more funds to assist in their crops as the weather turned. Most of them were discussed among the baron and nobility who owned a seat within the court, some taking longer then others. No one knew of anything different - for Irakles had advised those he had spoken with, that he would act depending on matters. Appearing amicable and amiable to the end, he assured the nobles and lords that, should Stephanos act differently or step up within the time leading up to the Senate meet, he would not call upon their help.
But of course, what they did not know, was that whether or not he stepped up, nothing would matter when Irakles got his say.
The discussions went on for quite some time, not that any of the lords were surprised,f or such was the nature of Senate meets. Each time an issue was brought up, the lord who had raised the issue would take his place to the floor that the Chief Advisor would give up, and then return once the matter was resolved. All discussions were mediated and directed by the Chief Advisor and his two assistants, and the process of a Senatorial meet had always been lengthy, yet it was a process Irakles had watched his whole life, it would be an understatement to say he was used to such matters.
It was towards the end, as the discussions tapered off, and the Chief Advisor repeated his question on whether or not any other matters had to be tabled. In the midst of the silence, Irakles raised his arm, and straightened up from his seat. Even through the silence, a formidable hush fell across the amphitheatre as he made his way down the steps from where his seat had been close to Fotios and Nikolias. The whole time, Irakles had remained silent, not even speaking as discussions happened. But now, it was as if his steps down the stairwell resonated within the cavernous theatre the Taengean nobility sat in, all eyes on him as he arrived at the platform, and gave a polite nod to the Chief Advisor as he was allowed the stage.
Was he nervous? No. Anxious? Not really. Excited... perhaps.
"My lords, it is with great worry that I address the Senate today, for I would like to present a matter that has reached my ears." Pausing for effect, his eyes roamed on everyone within the hall, face arranged in to a troubled one as he continued. "I am sure we are all still reeling from the loss of our beloved King, for my brother was a great leader for our kingdom. His loss is still greatly felt, especially within the Palati, which I have been residing of late as requested by my sister-in-law."
"However, the question is, why do I need to reside within?"
Again, he paused, and this time, whispers began to make their way across the hall. Irakles allowed it, his hands remaining by his sides as he again let his eyes roam, before resuming. "I would not have been concerned, for we all know that being a leader is a learning curve - steeper for some then others." A wry smile had found its way on his lips, and some chuckled with him, before continuing. "But what worries me, my lords, is that we are gambling the fate of our beloved Kingdom, on a learning curve."
This time, another hush fell.
"I am willing to assist my nephew, no matter how long it takes. I have worked tirelessly to help him in his fresh days as King," many murmured agreement, for Irakles had certainly presented himself in many events, showing his care and concern for many in the wake of the cultist attack. "... and I will continued to do so. Yet my nephew is... fresh. And at this point, he has yet to strike confidence in me, despite watching him work ever since. I do not like to hold someone's past against them, but a king who carouses and leaves bastard children like one would leave a trail of crumbs, is unbecoming. And we have yet to wonder why our new Queen is due to give birth so soon, when they had just been married a scarce three months?"
"But perhaps what I fear most, is rash actions. The King did not stop to consider the lost of lives, before he led an army of Taengean sons to the gorge. While victory may be had on the day...but at what cost? Dowager Queen Elise asks me to remain in the palati because she fears for the future of Taengea... and now, I do too." His tone was sombre, his voice echoing throughout the chamber, as he let his gaze reach every lord in attendance. "The news that reached my ears last eve, unsettles me, my lords. I would be willing to pardon, and chalk everything above as young, green inexperience for my nephew. But my advisors has told me that just a few days after the attack at the Dikasitrio, some have caught sight of a running through a panicked and scared capitol of Vasiliadon. And what was seen briefly on the finger of the cloaked figure... was a ring, exactly the same as the one worn on our current King's thumb. A man was killed that night, violently. People screamed, and ran, but.... they saw what they saw."
The whispers grew, to a point where the Chief Advisor had to step forward and raise both arms, before the voices calm down enough for the retired general to speak again, this time in a voice more tired then he had used earlier.
"I do not wish this upon my own nephew, my lords. It pains me a great deal to have to bring up this discussion, but I fear... what I have been investigating for the past month needs to be brought to light, for I think my brother deserves justice, and that our kingdom deserves much more, then a murderer for a King."
He realized belatedly, that the King's whole family was there -or his siblings were, anyway. Irakles had to admit, he was mildly surprised that his sister-in-law did not make an appearance. Whilst he had shared an evening repast with Elise the night before, she had mentioned that she hoped the Senate would go well, for she knew many things had to be tabled, and things had yet to completely settle since the death of her husband. Queen Elise often went to Senate to show her support, and had been adamant in attending. Yet, it was also likely that his words had had some effect. It was either that, or the fact that Olympia's remaining in the palati had made Elise feel as if she should be there for her unborn grandchild should anything happen.
Good for Irakles. He did not need Elise to complicate matters.
Following behind Fotios and Nikolias, Irakles's progress to the amphitheatre was a tad slower then others, as he stopped to speak to people regarding matters. Most of which had came to look for him, if only to reconfirm that things had not changed since he had discussed with them over many meals he had shared with the Taengean nobility. To them, Irakles reassured nothing had changed. Others also came to check in on him, barons who had always had fealty to the Mikaelidas' family, and answered to him as their leader. Irakles smiled at them, profusely thanked them for coming, and invited them inside.
By the time the prince managed to finally find his way in the amphitheatre, many had already found their seats, and his nephew himself was making his way to a platform meant for the leader of the Kingdom to take a seat, as the Chief Advisor to the Taengean crown took center stage to began the Senate meet, which only began upon the arrival and seating of all the barons and nobility who had chosen to attend the day's meet.
When the Chief Advisor called for the meet to begin, the rustle of humans and voices settling down signified the start of the day. Many barons came forward to discuss certain matters - taxation issues, law amendments, insufficient funds and requests for more funds to assist in their crops as the weather turned. Most of them were discussed among the baron and nobility who owned a seat within the court, some taking longer then others. No one knew of anything different - for Irakles had advised those he had spoken with, that he would act depending on matters. Appearing amicable and amiable to the end, he assured the nobles and lords that, should Stephanos act differently or step up within the time leading up to the Senate meet, he would not call upon their help.
But of course, what they did not know, was that whether or not he stepped up, nothing would matter when Irakles got his say.
The discussions went on for quite some time, not that any of the lords were surprised,f or such was the nature of Senate meets. Each time an issue was brought up, the lord who had raised the issue would take his place to the floor that the Chief Advisor would give up, and then return once the matter was resolved. All discussions were mediated and directed by the Chief Advisor and his two assistants, and the process of a Senatorial meet had always been lengthy, yet it was a process Irakles had watched his whole life, it would be an understatement to say he was used to such matters.
It was towards the end, as the discussions tapered off, and the Chief Advisor repeated his question on whether or not any other matters had to be tabled. In the midst of the silence, Irakles raised his arm, and straightened up from his seat. Even through the silence, a formidable hush fell across the amphitheatre as he made his way down the steps from where his seat had been close to Fotios and Nikolias. The whole time, Irakles had remained silent, not even speaking as discussions happened. But now, it was as if his steps down the stairwell resonated within the cavernous theatre the Taengean nobility sat in, all eyes on him as he arrived at the platform, and gave a polite nod to the Chief Advisor as he was allowed the stage.
Was he nervous? No. Anxious? Not really. Excited... perhaps.
"My lords, it is with great worry that I address the Senate today, for I would like to present a matter that has reached my ears." Pausing for effect, his eyes roamed on everyone within the hall, face arranged in to a troubled one as he continued. "I am sure we are all still reeling from the loss of our beloved King, for my brother was a great leader for our kingdom. His loss is still greatly felt, especially within the Palati, which I have been residing of late as requested by my sister-in-law."
"However, the question is, why do I need to reside within?"
Again, he paused, and this time, whispers began to make their way across the hall. Irakles allowed it, his hands remaining by his sides as he again let his eyes roam, before resuming. "I would not have been concerned, for we all know that being a leader is a learning curve - steeper for some then others." A wry smile had found its way on his lips, and some chuckled with him, before continuing. "But what worries me, my lords, is that we are gambling the fate of our beloved Kingdom, on a learning curve."
This time, another hush fell.
"I am willing to assist my nephew, no matter how long it takes. I have worked tirelessly to help him in his fresh days as King," many murmured agreement, for Irakles had certainly presented himself in many events, showing his care and concern for many in the wake of the cultist attack. "... and I will continued to do so. Yet my nephew is... fresh. And at this point, he has yet to strike confidence in me, despite watching him work ever since. I do not like to hold someone's past against them, but a king who carouses and leaves bastard children like one would leave a trail of crumbs, is unbecoming. And we have yet to wonder why our new Queen is due to give birth so soon, when they had just been married a scarce three months?"
"But perhaps what I fear most, is rash actions. The King did not stop to consider the lost of lives, before he led an army of Taengean sons to the gorge. While victory may be had on the day...but at what cost? Dowager Queen Elise asks me to remain in the palati because she fears for the future of Taengea... and now, I do too." His tone was sombre, his voice echoing throughout the chamber, as he let his gaze reach every lord in attendance. "The news that reached my ears last eve, unsettles me, my lords. I would be willing to pardon, and chalk everything above as young, green inexperience for my nephew. But my advisors has told me that just a few days after the attack at the Dikasitrio, some have caught sight of a running through a panicked and scared capitol of Vasiliadon. And what was seen briefly on the finger of the cloaked figure... was a ring, exactly the same as the one worn on our current King's thumb. A man was killed that night, violently. People screamed, and ran, but.... they saw what they saw."
The whispers grew, to a point where the Chief Advisor had to step forward and raise both arms, before the voices calm down enough for the retired general to speak again, this time in a voice more tired then he had used earlier.
"I do not wish this upon my own nephew, my lords. It pains me a great deal to have to bring up this discussion, but I fear... what I have been investigating for the past month needs to be brought to light, for I think my brother deserves justice, and that our kingdom deserves much more, then a murderer for a King."
When Imeeya returned to Vasiliadon, Imeeya had expected that her life might get less interesting instead of more, yet it seemed to be the way with this trip that her fate was destined to twist and turn as opposed to the neat orderly trip that she had expected. For on the day after they had returned to the capital city, there was a meeting of the Taengean senate. While as a woman and a foreigner, this wouldn’t necessarily have required anything of her, Imeeya knew that she needed to be there if she was even remotely interested in the goings on of the Taengean court. She knew from her own experiences with the Colchian senate meetings, that she resented being unable to attend, that one could often get interesting information from the women who would gather outside the meeting. Besides, she had promised Magnus that she would share with him any gossip that she had received from Taengea, and outside the senate was certainly a great place for gossip.
That morning, Imeeya took her time getting ready. She was not accompanying anyone who had to be on time to the meeting, so it didn’t matter what time she showed up. Besides, this gave her the opportunity to observe what the dynamics were between people before she could influence them. Ever thinking ahead, Imeeya had taken a dusty pink peplos from her trunk the night before so it had time to air from being packed away, so the cloth would not appear too wrinkled from all of the travel within the trunk. Conscious of how her appearance would reflect on her around the nobility with whom she only had a passing acquaintance, Imeeya took extra time arranging her hair. She carefully twisted her blonde locks away from her face and gathered it at the nape of her neck, before securing the whole thing with a matching pink ribbon that wrapped around her head and then tied around her hair at her neck to secure the entire hairdo.
Imeeya made her way to the arcus for the meeting, much less lost within the city than she had been on her first visit, though she still found herself making a few false turns before finally reaching her destination. By the time she had arrived, the men had already made their way inside the building, leaving a small cluster of women waiting outside. She could clearly see the two princesses standing arm in arm, looking somewhat worried. Having met Xene, Imeeya considered joining their group, but she hung back, not wanting to intrude. She also saw a woman who she could have sworn she had seen in all the chaos after the fighting. Not that she trusted much about her memory of that afternoon, it all seemed to blur together in her head. For the moment, Imeeya chose a spot off to the side rationalizing her choice not to mingle with the thought that she could better listen for what was going on without getting directly involved.
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When Imeeya returned to Vasiliadon, Imeeya had expected that her life might get less interesting instead of more, yet it seemed to be the way with this trip that her fate was destined to twist and turn as opposed to the neat orderly trip that she had expected. For on the day after they had returned to the capital city, there was a meeting of the Taengean senate. While as a woman and a foreigner, this wouldn’t necessarily have required anything of her, Imeeya knew that she needed to be there if she was even remotely interested in the goings on of the Taengean court. She knew from her own experiences with the Colchian senate meetings, that she resented being unable to attend, that one could often get interesting information from the women who would gather outside the meeting. Besides, she had promised Magnus that she would share with him any gossip that she had received from Taengea, and outside the senate was certainly a great place for gossip.
That morning, Imeeya took her time getting ready. She was not accompanying anyone who had to be on time to the meeting, so it didn’t matter what time she showed up. Besides, this gave her the opportunity to observe what the dynamics were between people before she could influence them. Ever thinking ahead, Imeeya had taken a dusty pink peplos from her trunk the night before so it had time to air from being packed away, so the cloth would not appear too wrinkled from all of the travel within the trunk. Conscious of how her appearance would reflect on her around the nobility with whom she only had a passing acquaintance, Imeeya took extra time arranging her hair. She carefully twisted her blonde locks away from her face and gathered it at the nape of her neck, before securing the whole thing with a matching pink ribbon that wrapped around her head and then tied around her hair at her neck to secure the entire hairdo.
Imeeya made her way to the arcus for the meeting, much less lost within the city than she had been on her first visit, though she still found herself making a few false turns before finally reaching her destination. By the time she had arrived, the men had already made their way inside the building, leaving a small cluster of women waiting outside. She could clearly see the two princesses standing arm in arm, looking somewhat worried. Having met Xene, Imeeya considered joining their group, but she hung back, not wanting to intrude. She also saw a woman who she could have sworn she had seen in all the chaos after the fighting. Not that she trusted much about her memory of that afternoon, it all seemed to blur together in her head. For the moment, Imeeya chose a spot off to the side rationalizing her choice not to mingle with the thought that she could better listen for what was going on without getting directly involved.
When Imeeya returned to Vasiliadon, Imeeya had expected that her life might get less interesting instead of more, yet it seemed to be the way with this trip that her fate was destined to twist and turn as opposed to the neat orderly trip that she had expected. For on the day after they had returned to the capital city, there was a meeting of the Taengean senate. While as a woman and a foreigner, this wouldn’t necessarily have required anything of her, Imeeya knew that she needed to be there if she was even remotely interested in the goings on of the Taengean court. She knew from her own experiences with the Colchian senate meetings, that she resented being unable to attend, that one could often get interesting information from the women who would gather outside the meeting. Besides, she had promised Magnus that she would share with him any gossip that she had received from Taengea, and outside the senate was certainly a great place for gossip.
That morning, Imeeya took her time getting ready. She was not accompanying anyone who had to be on time to the meeting, so it didn’t matter what time she showed up. Besides, this gave her the opportunity to observe what the dynamics were between people before she could influence them. Ever thinking ahead, Imeeya had taken a dusty pink peplos from her trunk the night before so it had time to air from being packed away, so the cloth would not appear too wrinkled from all of the travel within the trunk. Conscious of how her appearance would reflect on her around the nobility with whom she only had a passing acquaintance, Imeeya took extra time arranging her hair. She carefully twisted her blonde locks away from her face and gathered it at the nape of her neck, before securing the whole thing with a matching pink ribbon that wrapped around her head and then tied around her hair at her neck to secure the entire hairdo.
Imeeya made her way to the arcus for the meeting, much less lost within the city than she had been on her first visit, though she still found herself making a few false turns before finally reaching her destination. By the time she had arrived, the men had already made their way inside the building, leaving a small cluster of women waiting outside. She could clearly see the two princesses standing arm in arm, looking somewhat worried. Having met Xene, Imeeya considered joining their group, but she hung back, not wanting to intrude. She also saw a woman who she could have sworn she had seen in all the chaos after the fighting. Not that she trusted much about her memory of that afternoon, it all seemed to blur together in her head. For the moment, Imeeya chose a spot off to the side rationalizing her choice not to mingle with the thought that she could better listen for what was going on without getting directly involved.
Emilios spotted his brother only a moment before he was upon him, telling him to cheer up. The only thing he could think to cheer himself up in this moment was not being here at all. And yet, his father had insisted on his presence. Mostly likely because Fotios had mentioned their deal, and if he was to be given land, he needed to know what was going to be expected of him. And that includes senate meetings like this.
But, since his brother had no clue about the deal he and the Leventi had made, his presence there just appeared to be that of a reluctant courier.
So he rolled his eyes at his brother. ”Ah, the burden of a Baron.” He had always appeared to want nothing to do with the titles and responsibility. His life seemed to be that of a playboy. Perhaps that was why he and Stephanos had always gotten along so well. They both were the spare, and that allowed some freedom in how they were expected to act. But then the King and heir were killed and he found himself in charge of a kingdom he had never wanted.
The turnout was actually a bit surprising. He hadn’t been aware that this meeting would have any importance, so he half expected no one to show. But it appeared that it would be a full house. Still, he didn’t comment, following behind his brother as entered into the room. He took his seat, another eye roll at the suggestion that he would fall asleep from the boredom. ”Good. Wake me when it is something important.” Taking his place behind Achilleas (his destined spot), he settled into the chair to watch the action happen.
His father’s rise caused a bit of concern for the youngest son. What the hell was he up to? Emilios leaned forward, not wishing to miss anything his father said.
What was his father doing?
Perhaps he had been in his own world for far too long, pining for Theo and trying to do his best to forget that his brother would marry the woman that he loved. Or perhaps it had been too many nights spent with Stephanos, trying to help him come to terms with what happened. The current king was a broken man at the loss of his family, trying to find any sort of peace within their death. Married with an heir on the way, he had done his best with the Creed to try and bring stability to the kingdom. He wasn’t raised to be the ruler, but he was doing his best to learn as he went.
But was his father really accusing his nephew of murder? He stayed silent, unable to believe what he was hearing. Stephanos and he were close. There was no possible way he had wanted the throne enough to kill his father and brother. It just didn’t seem like the man he knew.
He had no place to talk in this room, instead staring at his brother to stand and make some sort of rebuttal against it.
To stand up to their father, for once, instead of doing everything as expected.
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Emilios spotted his brother only a moment before he was upon him, telling him to cheer up. The only thing he could think to cheer himself up in this moment was not being here at all. And yet, his father had insisted on his presence. Mostly likely because Fotios had mentioned their deal, and if he was to be given land, he needed to know what was going to be expected of him. And that includes senate meetings like this.
But, since his brother had no clue about the deal he and the Leventi had made, his presence there just appeared to be that of a reluctant courier.
So he rolled his eyes at his brother. ”Ah, the burden of a Baron.” He had always appeared to want nothing to do with the titles and responsibility. His life seemed to be that of a playboy. Perhaps that was why he and Stephanos had always gotten along so well. They both were the spare, and that allowed some freedom in how they were expected to act. But then the King and heir were killed and he found himself in charge of a kingdom he had never wanted.
The turnout was actually a bit surprising. He hadn’t been aware that this meeting would have any importance, so he half expected no one to show. But it appeared that it would be a full house. Still, he didn’t comment, following behind his brother as entered into the room. He took his seat, another eye roll at the suggestion that he would fall asleep from the boredom. ”Good. Wake me when it is something important.” Taking his place behind Achilleas (his destined spot), he settled into the chair to watch the action happen.
His father’s rise caused a bit of concern for the youngest son. What the hell was he up to? Emilios leaned forward, not wishing to miss anything his father said.
What was his father doing?
Perhaps he had been in his own world for far too long, pining for Theo and trying to do his best to forget that his brother would marry the woman that he loved. Or perhaps it had been too many nights spent with Stephanos, trying to help him come to terms with what happened. The current king was a broken man at the loss of his family, trying to find any sort of peace within their death. Married with an heir on the way, he had done his best with the Creed to try and bring stability to the kingdom. He wasn’t raised to be the ruler, but he was doing his best to learn as he went.
But was his father really accusing his nephew of murder? He stayed silent, unable to believe what he was hearing. Stephanos and he were close. There was no possible way he had wanted the throne enough to kill his father and brother. It just didn’t seem like the man he knew.
He had no place to talk in this room, instead staring at his brother to stand and make some sort of rebuttal against it.
To stand up to their father, for once, instead of doing everything as expected.
Emilios spotted his brother only a moment before he was upon him, telling him to cheer up. The only thing he could think to cheer himself up in this moment was not being here at all. And yet, his father had insisted on his presence. Mostly likely because Fotios had mentioned their deal, and if he was to be given land, he needed to know what was going to be expected of him. And that includes senate meetings like this.
But, since his brother had no clue about the deal he and the Leventi had made, his presence there just appeared to be that of a reluctant courier.
So he rolled his eyes at his brother. ”Ah, the burden of a Baron.” He had always appeared to want nothing to do with the titles and responsibility. His life seemed to be that of a playboy. Perhaps that was why he and Stephanos had always gotten along so well. They both were the spare, and that allowed some freedom in how they were expected to act. But then the King and heir were killed and he found himself in charge of a kingdom he had never wanted.
The turnout was actually a bit surprising. He hadn’t been aware that this meeting would have any importance, so he half expected no one to show. But it appeared that it would be a full house. Still, he didn’t comment, following behind his brother as entered into the room. He took his seat, another eye roll at the suggestion that he would fall asleep from the boredom. ”Good. Wake me when it is something important.” Taking his place behind Achilleas (his destined spot), he settled into the chair to watch the action happen.
His father’s rise caused a bit of concern for the youngest son. What the hell was he up to? Emilios leaned forward, not wishing to miss anything his father said.
What was his father doing?
Perhaps he had been in his own world for far too long, pining for Theo and trying to do his best to forget that his brother would marry the woman that he loved. Or perhaps it had been too many nights spent with Stephanos, trying to help him come to terms with what happened. The current king was a broken man at the loss of his family, trying to find any sort of peace within their death. Married with an heir on the way, he had done his best with the Creed to try and bring stability to the kingdom. He wasn’t raised to be the ruler, but he was doing his best to learn as he went.
But was his father really accusing his nephew of murder? He stayed silent, unable to believe what he was hearing. Stephanos and he were close. There was no possible way he had wanted the throne enough to kill his father and brother. It just didn’t seem like the man he knew.
He had no place to talk in this room, instead staring at his brother to stand and make some sort of rebuttal against it.
To stand up to their father, for once, instead of doing everything as expected.
Indeed, it was fair to say that Achilleas had attended enough of these meets for it to seem a tedious affair. However, as he settled himself upon the stone bench, he could not help but turn his thoughts towards the conversation with his father not two days prior. He half-wished he had asked Emilios if he had been so confided in, but the opportunity had passed and so he sat and bore witness to the more mundane elements of the Senate.
Talk of harvests, petitions for aid washed over him without finding purchase, and the day grew hotter, sun warming the stone and those who sat upon it. Achilleas watched his King, and more than once his gaze sought out his father too. It prickled at him all through the meeting, every silence, every lull he expected Irakles to stand and to reveal whatever his move was, and everytime he did not, there was a moment of relief.
Achilleas knew though, that unless something spectacular happened, his father would not be diverted from his course, and so when the time did come, and the familiar voice of the man rang out, the elder son felt himself straighten. This was it then.
Now he did not look at Stephanos, but rather let his eyes drift over the amphitheatre so he might identify those others who had been waiting for this moment, anticipating it. He marked them well, and then, shooting his brother a warning glance - for all the good it would do - he looked to his father, the speaker, once more.
It was worse than he had imagined.
He had known that there would be some shadow of disparagement cast over his cousin’s ability to rule, but amidst the shocked silence of the ampitheatre, his father’s accusations rang even louder and more damning. Such words could not be taken back. Achilleas ground his teeth together, and very deliberately did not look at Emilios, though he could feel the others eyes heavy upon him.
What did he expect him to do? Publicly oppose their father and question his judgement? Based upon facts he did not have and an account he could not refute?
And yet Achilleas too felt himself bristle upon his cousin’s behalf. Yes, perhaps he had a little too much wine and was too free with his love affairs. Perhaps he was even too green to be upon the throne; his mind could rationalise these arguments and give credence to them. But a murderer? Without meaning to, he looked at the King, trying to equate those bitter accusations with the man he knew. Surely he would not be so stupid?
His hands, resting atop his thighs had curled into fists, and he drew in and released a long breath. Someone needed to speak against this madness. But it could not be him. Would not be him. And so he finally cast a long, level look at his brother as if to warn him off opening his mouth too. All they could do right then was bite their tongues and let this little scene play out the way their father had no doubt intended.
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Indeed, it was fair to say that Achilleas had attended enough of these meets for it to seem a tedious affair. However, as he settled himself upon the stone bench, he could not help but turn his thoughts towards the conversation with his father not two days prior. He half-wished he had asked Emilios if he had been so confided in, but the opportunity had passed and so he sat and bore witness to the more mundane elements of the Senate.
Talk of harvests, petitions for aid washed over him without finding purchase, and the day grew hotter, sun warming the stone and those who sat upon it. Achilleas watched his King, and more than once his gaze sought out his father too. It prickled at him all through the meeting, every silence, every lull he expected Irakles to stand and to reveal whatever his move was, and everytime he did not, there was a moment of relief.
Achilleas knew though, that unless something spectacular happened, his father would not be diverted from his course, and so when the time did come, and the familiar voice of the man rang out, the elder son felt himself straighten. This was it then.
Now he did not look at Stephanos, but rather let his eyes drift over the amphitheatre so he might identify those others who had been waiting for this moment, anticipating it. He marked them well, and then, shooting his brother a warning glance - for all the good it would do - he looked to his father, the speaker, once more.
It was worse than he had imagined.
He had known that there would be some shadow of disparagement cast over his cousin’s ability to rule, but amidst the shocked silence of the ampitheatre, his father’s accusations rang even louder and more damning. Such words could not be taken back. Achilleas ground his teeth together, and very deliberately did not look at Emilios, though he could feel the others eyes heavy upon him.
What did he expect him to do? Publicly oppose their father and question his judgement? Based upon facts he did not have and an account he could not refute?
And yet Achilleas too felt himself bristle upon his cousin’s behalf. Yes, perhaps he had a little too much wine and was too free with his love affairs. Perhaps he was even too green to be upon the throne; his mind could rationalise these arguments and give credence to them. But a murderer? Without meaning to, he looked at the King, trying to equate those bitter accusations with the man he knew. Surely he would not be so stupid?
His hands, resting atop his thighs had curled into fists, and he drew in and released a long breath. Someone needed to speak against this madness. But it could not be him. Would not be him. And so he finally cast a long, level look at his brother as if to warn him off opening his mouth too. All they could do right then was bite their tongues and let this little scene play out the way their father had no doubt intended.
Indeed, it was fair to say that Achilleas had attended enough of these meets for it to seem a tedious affair. However, as he settled himself upon the stone bench, he could not help but turn his thoughts towards the conversation with his father not two days prior. He half-wished he had asked Emilios if he had been so confided in, but the opportunity had passed and so he sat and bore witness to the more mundane elements of the Senate.
Talk of harvests, petitions for aid washed over him without finding purchase, and the day grew hotter, sun warming the stone and those who sat upon it. Achilleas watched his King, and more than once his gaze sought out his father too. It prickled at him all through the meeting, every silence, every lull he expected Irakles to stand and to reveal whatever his move was, and everytime he did not, there was a moment of relief.
Achilleas knew though, that unless something spectacular happened, his father would not be diverted from his course, and so when the time did come, and the familiar voice of the man rang out, the elder son felt himself straighten. This was it then.
Now he did not look at Stephanos, but rather let his eyes drift over the amphitheatre so he might identify those others who had been waiting for this moment, anticipating it. He marked them well, and then, shooting his brother a warning glance - for all the good it would do - he looked to his father, the speaker, once more.
It was worse than he had imagined.
He had known that there would be some shadow of disparagement cast over his cousin’s ability to rule, but amidst the shocked silence of the ampitheatre, his father’s accusations rang even louder and more damning. Such words could not be taken back. Achilleas ground his teeth together, and very deliberately did not look at Emilios, though he could feel the others eyes heavy upon him.
What did he expect him to do? Publicly oppose their father and question his judgement? Based upon facts he did not have and an account he could not refute?
And yet Achilleas too felt himself bristle upon his cousin’s behalf. Yes, perhaps he had a little too much wine and was too free with his love affairs. Perhaps he was even too green to be upon the throne; his mind could rationalise these arguments and give credence to them. But a murderer? Without meaning to, he looked at the King, trying to equate those bitter accusations with the man he knew. Surely he would not be so stupid?
His hands, resting atop his thighs had curled into fists, and he drew in and released a long breath. Someone needed to speak against this madness. But it could not be him. Would not be him. And so he finally cast a long, level look at his brother as if to warn him off opening his mouth too. All they could do right then was bite their tongues and let this little scene play out the way their father had no doubt intended.
Because the Dimitrou compound was so far out of the way of the main isle of Taengea, Gavriil did not often have to come to these things. But he was in the city, and more than that, the letter from the king, commanding his presence, plus his uncomfortable dinner with the prince had put him on serious edge; a thing the baron was unused to. The men around him were barons he’d known for years and years, though most of them he was not on a terribly close terms with. He wondered if Irakles had dined with most of these barons as well….
His gaze rested on the king more than once. The king looked haggard and far more serious than he’d ever seen him. The man he remembered was a presence never to be ignored. This man was simply occupying a throne, staring daggers at his uncle as the man rose to speak. But once Irakles began to publically insinuate that the current monarch was unfit for the position just because of the need of the prince’s help, Gavriil let out a disgusted sigh.
It was one thing to whisper about it behind closed doors and another thing to try and disgrace his nephew in public. He was unsurprised though. A man who could and did disgrace his own wife and cast shame on his sons would have no problem doing the same to his nephew. However, Gavriil was floored when Irakles insinuated...no….stated that the king was a murderer.
He couldn’t quite keep his seat. The baron was on his feet and raising his hand at Irakles. “Your highness,” his heart was hammering just a bit fast, as he did not normally speak in open forums like this without good reason. “That is a serious accusation. What is it you’re saying about our lord and sovereign?” Though Gavriil did not personally have any great love for the thought of Stephanos, of all people, being king, he did not think that, given the options available, that he would be the worst. Stephanos, at least was teachable. Unlike the uncle.
At the realization that he was the first to speak, Gavriil looked around at the others for some sort of support. Would someone else stand? Or was he alone in his question? He then turned back to Irakles, his head tilted and his steady gaze demanding an adequate answer. There was only one instance that he could think of that Irakles meant by suggesting that Stephanos was a murderer and that didn’t seem...to fit. He couldn’t imagine it.
“You will have to speak plainer, my prince. Outline for us what you mean.”
He disliked Irakles in the extreme, but he didn’t necessarily want to claim that Irakles was a liar in such a public way either. The prince might be arrogant and a show off, and a hypocrite on top of all of that, but stupid? No. Never that. Irakles must have strong evidence if such a claim was made in this manner and Gavriil was, quite frankly, afraid to see it. His gaze strayed to Stephanos for just a moment and then back to the prince.
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Because the Dimitrou compound was so far out of the way of the main isle of Taengea, Gavriil did not often have to come to these things. But he was in the city, and more than that, the letter from the king, commanding his presence, plus his uncomfortable dinner with the prince had put him on serious edge; a thing the baron was unused to. The men around him were barons he’d known for years and years, though most of them he was not on a terribly close terms with. He wondered if Irakles had dined with most of these barons as well….
His gaze rested on the king more than once. The king looked haggard and far more serious than he’d ever seen him. The man he remembered was a presence never to be ignored. This man was simply occupying a throne, staring daggers at his uncle as the man rose to speak. But once Irakles began to publically insinuate that the current monarch was unfit for the position just because of the need of the prince’s help, Gavriil let out a disgusted sigh.
It was one thing to whisper about it behind closed doors and another thing to try and disgrace his nephew in public. He was unsurprised though. A man who could and did disgrace his own wife and cast shame on his sons would have no problem doing the same to his nephew. However, Gavriil was floored when Irakles insinuated...no….stated that the king was a murderer.
He couldn’t quite keep his seat. The baron was on his feet and raising his hand at Irakles. “Your highness,” his heart was hammering just a bit fast, as he did not normally speak in open forums like this without good reason. “That is a serious accusation. What is it you’re saying about our lord and sovereign?” Though Gavriil did not personally have any great love for the thought of Stephanos, of all people, being king, he did not think that, given the options available, that he would be the worst. Stephanos, at least was teachable. Unlike the uncle.
At the realization that he was the first to speak, Gavriil looked around at the others for some sort of support. Would someone else stand? Or was he alone in his question? He then turned back to Irakles, his head tilted and his steady gaze demanding an adequate answer. There was only one instance that he could think of that Irakles meant by suggesting that Stephanos was a murderer and that didn’t seem...to fit. He couldn’t imagine it.
“You will have to speak plainer, my prince. Outline for us what you mean.”
He disliked Irakles in the extreme, but he didn’t necessarily want to claim that Irakles was a liar in such a public way either. The prince might be arrogant and a show off, and a hypocrite on top of all of that, but stupid? No. Never that. Irakles must have strong evidence if such a claim was made in this manner and Gavriil was, quite frankly, afraid to see it. His gaze strayed to Stephanos for just a moment and then back to the prince.
Because the Dimitrou compound was so far out of the way of the main isle of Taengea, Gavriil did not often have to come to these things. But he was in the city, and more than that, the letter from the king, commanding his presence, plus his uncomfortable dinner with the prince had put him on serious edge; a thing the baron was unused to. The men around him were barons he’d known for years and years, though most of them he was not on a terribly close terms with. He wondered if Irakles had dined with most of these barons as well….
His gaze rested on the king more than once. The king looked haggard and far more serious than he’d ever seen him. The man he remembered was a presence never to be ignored. This man was simply occupying a throne, staring daggers at his uncle as the man rose to speak. But once Irakles began to publically insinuate that the current monarch was unfit for the position just because of the need of the prince’s help, Gavriil let out a disgusted sigh.
It was one thing to whisper about it behind closed doors and another thing to try and disgrace his nephew in public. He was unsurprised though. A man who could and did disgrace his own wife and cast shame on his sons would have no problem doing the same to his nephew. However, Gavriil was floored when Irakles insinuated...no….stated that the king was a murderer.
He couldn’t quite keep his seat. The baron was on his feet and raising his hand at Irakles. “Your highness,” his heart was hammering just a bit fast, as he did not normally speak in open forums like this without good reason. “That is a serious accusation. What is it you’re saying about our lord and sovereign?” Though Gavriil did not personally have any great love for the thought of Stephanos, of all people, being king, he did not think that, given the options available, that he would be the worst. Stephanos, at least was teachable. Unlike the uncle.
At the realization that he was the first to speak, Gavriil looked around at the others for some sort of support. Would someone else stand? Or was he alone in his question? He then turned back to Irakles, his head tilted and his steady gaze demanding an adequate answer. There was only one instance that he could think of that Irakles meant by suggesting that Stephanos was a murderer and that didn’t seem...to fit. He couldn’t imagine it.
“You will have to speak plainer, my prince. Outline for us what you mean.”
He disliked Irakles in the extreme, but he didn’t necessarily want to claim that Irakles was a liar in such a public way either. The prince might be arrogant and a show off, and a hypocrite on top of all of that, but stupid? No. Never that. Irakles must have strong evidence if such a claim was made in this manner and Gavriil was, quite frankly, afraid to see it. His gaze strayed to Stephanos for just a moment and then back to the prince.
The sun was blazing hot. Probably he should have had the servants set up a cover of shade but if the lords had to sit there in the open, he would do the same. Besides? He might as well suffer. If he put up the cover, then Irakles would call him weak or unfair. If he sat here like this, likely his uncle would come to him afterwards and say something like “Nephew, did you not think to use the shade? For shame.” But at least this way he had the higher moral road...even if it was amazingly uncomfortable.
He watched from his throne as Gavriil sat down, his cousins, Lord Fotios, Lord Nikolias, and a few other barons. There weren’t nearly as many men here as there should be. His gaze swept the lords sitting there and he frowned and swallowed. There were some who he didn’t like and never had. They of course, didn’t miss Senate meets. But where were the rest of them? Where were the ones he knew to be friends? The only ones that looked to be here were his two cousins and Gavriil.
His father in law was also absent but illness was obviously the cause...Still. The faces staring up at him were not all that friendly. The Senate began when the Chief Advisor got the proceedings rolling with his greetings and started the usual droning. This was where Stephanos tended to tap out and let his mind wander but not today. Today his gaze kept jumping from baron to baron, lord to lord, and always back to Irakles who couldn’t seem to ever not look smug.
The longer the meeting went on, the more relaxed he became. That was just Irakles’s face. Smug. Or at least, he’d thought so. Once the floor was opened to the barons, and Irakles rose, Stephanos stared at him. He gripped the arms of his throne and clenched his jaw as Irakles smoothly sliced into him in front of the Senate. His uncle was amazing at mixing truth and lies, at leaving out why certain things were happening and ensuring that only the results remained.
The worst of it was that if he stood up and raised his voice at his uncle in the middle of the man’s spiel, he’d look exactly like the child Irakles was painting him as. It was nearly impossible to keep the look of disgust off his face. The level of concentration it took to force his features to be cool and impassive was incredible. The longer Irakles spoke, the more Stephanos began to wonder how much lung capacity this man had and if he even needed to breathe. Was he that bloated up with self importance that he could drone on about Taengea’s fake plight for hours?
He kept referring to some nebulous threat; a threat that Stephanos had already taken care of. Without Irakles’s help or assistance. As far as he was aware, unless his uncle was keeping vital information away from the throne, then Taengea was in imminent danger of nothing. Irakles was as paranoid as they came and he actually laughed when the man had the audacity to bring up his wife’s questionable pregnancy timing.
“Your highness,” he said with an indulgent smile. “I hardly think my proclivities bear witness to my ability to govern. If they did, we would have to cast you with the same brush, would we not? With your mistress and daughter here?” Stephanos stood and interrupted Irakles completely, unable to bear this onslaught any longer. He put his arm out towards the other barons, most of whom had mistresses aplenty. “Are you suggesting we ban more than half the Senate for the same sin?”
There was a ripple of uncomfortable laughter at this and Stephanos took his seat again, not even bothering to hide his dislike for his uncle now. There was no point. The man was obviously trying to get him unseated. This was what his uncle had been working for, manipulating his mother towards. He nearly bit through his lip as he stared daggers into Irakles.
But the prince went on, unable to actually rebuttal the fact that he did, in fact, have a mistress and was actively disgracing his own wife, who lived in disgraced exile. While his sons sat right in front of him. He frowned in blatant confusion though as Irakles spun out a complete lie. He blinked and looked at the ring on his thumb. It hadn’t left his hand, not until he took it off and went to sleep. But no one had been in his rooms...had they?
Just as he was about to say that Irakles could either produce evidence for this or eat his lying words, Irakles swept onward to alleging that he, Stephanos of Mikaelidas, had killed his own father and brother.
“What?” he exploded up and out of his chair, his temper getting the better of his judgement. “That, Prince Irakles, is an accusation so outlandish I don’t think even you have the means to prove such a blatantly laughable lie.” His heart slammed in his chest and the edges of his vision were starting to blacken. It was taking everything in him not to take an actual swing at his uncle. The only thing stopping him from doing so was the faraway voice of Gavriil of Dimitrou, demanding some sort of proof. It was a reminder that they were in public.
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The sun was blazing hot. Probably he should have had the servants set up a cover of shade but if the lords had to sit there in the open, he would do the same. Besides? He might as well suffer. If he put up the cover, then Irakles would call him weak or unfair. If he sat here like this, likely his uncle would come to him afterwards and say something like “Nephew, did you not think to use the shade? For shame.” But at least this way he had the higher moral road...even if it was amazingly uncomfortable.
He watched from his throne as Gavriil sat down, his cousins, Lord Fotios, Lord Nikolias, and a few other barons. There weren’t nearly as many men here as there should be. His gaze swept the lords sitting there and he frowned and swallowed. There were some who he didn’t like and never had. They of course, didn’t miss Senate meets. But where were the rest of them? Where were the ones he knew to be friends? The only ones that looked to be here were his two cousins and Gavriil.
His father in law was also absent but illness was obviously the cause...Still. The faces staring up at him were not all that friendly. The Senate began when the Chief Advisor got the proceedings rolling with his greetings and started the usual droning. This was where Stephanos tended to tap out and let his mind wander but not today. Today his gaze kept jumping from baron to baron, lord to lord, and always back to Irakles who couldn’t seem to ever not look smug.
The longer the meeting went on, the more relaxed he became. That was just Irakles’s face. Smug. Or at least, he’d thought so. Once the floor was opened to the barons, and Irakles rose, Stephanos stared at him. He gripped the arms of his throne and clenched his jaw as Irakles smoothly sliced into him in front of the Senate. His uncle was amazing at mixing truth and lies, at leaving out why certain things were happening and ensuring that only the results remained.
The worst of it was that if he stood up and raised his voice at his uncle in the middle of the man’s spiel, he’d look exactly like the child Irakles was painting him as. It was nearly impossible to keep the look of disgust off his face. The level of concentration it took to force his features to be cool and impassive was incredible. The longer Irakles spoke, the more Stephanos began to wonder how much lung capacity this man had and if he even needed to breathe. Was he that bloated up with self importance that he could drone on about Taengea’s fake plight for hours?
He kept referring to some nebulous threat; a threat that Stephanos had already taken care of. Without Irakles’s help or assistance. As far as he was aware, unless his uncle was keeping vital information away from the throne, then Taengea was in imminent danger of nothing. Irakles was as paranoid as they came and he actually laughed when the man had the audacity to bring up his wife’s questionable pregnancy timing.
“Your highness,” he said with an indulgent smile. “I hardly think my proclivities bear witness to my ability to govern. If they did, we would have to cast you with the same brush, would we not? With your mistress and daughter here?” Stephanos stood and interrupted Irakles completely, unable to bear this onslaught any longer. He put his arm out towards the other barons, most of whom had mistresses aplenty. “Are you suggesting we ban more than half the Senate for the same sin?”
There was a ripple of uncomfortable laughter at this and Stephanos took his seat again, not even bothering to hide his dislike for his uncle now. There was no point. The man was obviously trying to get him unseated. This was what his uncle had been working for, manipulating his mother towards. He nearly bit through his lip as he stared daggers into Irakles.
But the prince went on, unable to actually rebuttal the fact that he did, in fact, have a mistress and was actively disgracing his own wife, who lived in disgraced exile. While his sons sat right in front of him. He frowned in blatant confusion though as Irakles spun out a complete lie. He blinked and looked at the ring on his thumb. It hadn’t left his hand, not until he took it off and went to sleep. But no one had been in his rooms...had they?
Just as he was about to say that Irakles could either produce evidence for this or eat his lying words, Irakles swept onward to alleging that he, Stephanos of Mikaelidas, had killed his own father and brother.
“What?” he exploded up and out of his chair, his temper getting the better of his judgement. “That, Prince Irakles, is an accusation so outlandish I don’t think even you have the means to prove such a blatantly laughable lie.” His heart slammed in his chest and the edges of his vision were starting to blacken. It was taking everything in him not to take an actual swing at his uncle. The only thing stopping him from doing so was the faraway voice of Gavriil of Dimitrou, demanding some sort of proof. It was a reminder that they were in public.
The sun was blazing hot. Probably he should have had the servants set up a cover of shade but if the lords had to sit there in the open, he would do the same. Besides? He might as well suffer. If he put up the cover, then Irakles would call him weak or unfair. If he sat here like this, likely his uncle would come to him afterwards and say something like “Nephew, did you not think to use the shade? For shame.” But at least this way he had the higher moral road...even if it was amazingly uncomfortable.
He watched from his throne as Gavriil sat down, his cousins, Lord Fotios, Lord Nikolias, and a few other barons. There weren’t nearly as many men here as there should be. His gaze swept the lords sitting there and he frowned and swallowed. There were some who he didn’t like and never had. They of course, didn’t miss Senate meets. But where were the rest of them? Where were the ones he knew to be friends? The only ones that looked to be here were his two cousins and Gavriil.
His father in law was also absent but illness was obviously the cause...Still. The faces staring up at him were not all that friendly. The Senate began when the Chief Advisor got the proceedings rolling with his greetings and started the usual droning. This was where Stephanos tended to tap out and let his mind wander but not today. Today his gaze kept jumping from baron to baron, lord to lord, and always back to Irakles who couldn’t seem to ever not look smug.
The longer the meeting went on, the more relaxed he became. That was just Irakles’s face. Smug. Or at least, he’d thought so. Once the floor was opened to the barons, and Irakles rose, Stephanos stared at him. He gripped the arms of his throne and clenched his jaw as Irakles smoothly sliced into him in front of the Senate. His uncle was amazing at mixing truth and lies, at leaving out why certain things were happening and ensuring that only the results remained.
The worst of it was that if he stood up and raised his voice at his uncle in the middle of the man’s spiel, he’d look exactly like the child Irakles was painting him as. It was nearly impossible to keep the look of disgust off his face. The level of concentration it took to force his features to be cool and impassive was incredible. The longer Irakles spoke, the more Stephanos began to wonder how much lung capacity this man had and if he even needed to breathe. Was he that bloated up with self importance that he could drone on about Taengea’s fake plight for hours?
He kept referring to some nebulous threat; a threat that Stephanos had already taken care of. Without Irakles’s help or assistance. As far as he was aware, unless his uncle was keeping vital information away from the throne, then Taengea was in imminent danger of nothing. Irakles was as paranoid as they came and he actually laughed when the man had the audacity to bring up his wife’s questionable pregnancy timing.
“Your highness,” he said with an indulgent smile. “I hardly think my proclivities bear witness to my ability to govern. If they did, we would have to cast you with the same brush, would we not? With your mistress and daughter here?” Stephanos stood and interrupted Irakles completely, unable to bear this onslaught any longer. He put his arm out towards the other barons, most of whom had mistresses aplenty. “Are you suggesting we ban more than half the Senate for the same sin?”
There was a ripple of uncomfortable laughter at this and Stephanos took his seat again, not even bothering to hide his dislike for his uncle now. There was no point. The man was obviously trying to get him unseated. This was what his uncle had been working for, manipulating his mother towards. He nearly bit through his lip as he stared daggers into Irakles.
But the prince went on, unable to actually rebuttal the fact that he did, in fact, have a mistress and was actively disgracing his own wife, who lived in disgraced exile. While his sons sat right in front of him. He frowned in blatant confusion though as Irakles spun out a complete lie. He blinked and looked at the ring on his thumb. It hadn’t left his hand, not until he took it off and went to sleep. But no one had been in his rooms...had they?
Just as he was about to say that Irakles could either produce evidence for this or eat his lying words, Irakles swept onward to alleging that he, Stephanos of Mikaelidas, had killed his own father and brother.
“What?” he exploded up and out of his chair, his temper getting the better of his judgement. “That, Prince Irakles, is an accusation so outlandish I don’t think even you have the means to prove such a blatantly laughable lie.” His heart slammed in his chest and the edges of his vision were starting to blacken. It was taking everything in him not to take an actual swing at his uncle. The only thing stopping him from doing so was the faraway voice of Gavriil of Dimitrou, demanding some sort of proof. It was a reminder that they were in public.
Xene felt like she could breathe properly the moment that she felt Gianna's arm looping into hers. Immediately reaching over and clasping her other hand over top of her sister's, she turned her gaze on the younger woman, keeping a strong front. "He always is, in his own little way," Xene murmured in a soft voice. "You look stunning, Gianna," she then hummed, squeezing her hand just briefly. Up until this point, she had been waiting for her sister to join her before she stepped into the arcus, and now that they were arm and arm, she didn't hesitate.
She only spared a glance toward Eirini and Meena, letting her feet guide her toward the group of men. They would not be allowed entrance, much to Xene's... delight. Her dinner with Lord Fotios and Lady Eirini had left her feeling... somewhat bitter, after all.
They entered behind most of them, moving themselves to stand close to Stephanos. As the direct family members of the King, they had every right to stand in this meeting hall, arm in arm and watching every move of each Senator or Master in the room.
Heron was outside listening to everything he could and Xene was on the inside, listening for whispers of information that she could use later. Everything to ensure that Stephanos kept a stable image, a stable era of ruling, and his head. Most important of all was keeping his head.
When everyone had settled and the meeting started, Xene simply listened, calculated.
Then her stomach dropped when Irakles rose to address the senate. Her hold on Gianna immediately tightened, lifting her chin as if to observe the man closer. Really, truly absorb the words he spoke. Because they were borderline treason. If it were any other King on the throne, discrediting the King may have lead to more violent action or reaction.
But Irakles didn't just stop at insulting her brother's tendencies for women and siring children. The man seemed to drag on, his words becoming more and more damning by the moment. Her gaze darted between her uncle, her brother, and Lord Gavriil, her mind racing faster than she could actually comprehend everything.
It was the accusation of Stephanos murdering her father and brother, their father and brother, than had her turning her gaze on Stephanos once more. Because he was up and out of his chair, his temper lost. Part of her wanted to tell him to calm down. That he should not let such bold accusations get to him, especially if they weren't true. Keeping a firm hold on her sister, as if she would be lost without the familiar touch. Xene's gaze remained on Stephanos, silently imploring the man to breathe, to return to his seated position and allow the men to continue to discuss the matter at hand.
Surely, if the accusations were, in fact, false... there would be no problem? There would be no further issue as soon as they walked from this room. But why, pray tell, had Irakles waited for so long to bring such a revelation to light? The lack of senators there to defend her brother was... glaring, and suddenly Xene found her distrust for her uncle growing once more.
Xene found that she had to take a steadying breath to keep her own temper in check, knowing full well that her brother had nothing to do with it. With the murder. With the loss. Stephanos had never wanted the crown to begin with. His actions in her rooms, when she had revealed Zacharias' secret to him... that had been real. True. The emotions, the feelings were real.
Stephanos wouldn't have murdered his own father and brother for a crown that he did not want.
Xene knew that better than anybody.
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Xene felt like she could breathe properly the moment that she felt Gianna's arm looping into hers. Immediately reaching over and clasping her other hand over top of her sister's, she turned her gaze on the younger woman, keeping a strong front. "He always is, in his own little way," Xene murmured in a soft voice. "You look stunning, Gianna," she then hummed, squeezing her hand just briefly. Up until this point, she had been waiting for her sister to join her before she stepped into the arcus, and now that they were arm and arm, she didn't hesitate.
She only spared a glance toward Eirini and Meena, letting her feet guide her toward the group of men. They would not be allowed entrance, much to Xene's... delight. Her dinner with Lord Fotios and Lady Eirini had left her feeling... somewhat bitter, after all.
They entered behind most of them, moving themselves to stand close to Stephanos. As the direct family members of the King, they had every right to stand in this meeting hall, arm in arm and watching every move of each Senator or Master in the room.
Heron was outside listening to everything he could and Xene was on the inside, listening for whispers of information that she could use later. Everything to ensure that Stephanos kept a stable image, a stable era of ruling, and his head. Most important of all was keeping his head.
When everyone had settled and the meeting started, Xene simply listened, calculated.
Then her stomach dropped when Irakles rose to address the senate. Her hold on Gianna immediately tightened, lifting her chin as if to observe the man closer. Really, truly absorb the words he spoke. Because they were borderline treason. If it were any other King on the throne, discrediting the King may have lead to more violent action or reaction.
But Irakles didn't just stop at insulting her brother's tendencies for women and siring children. The man seemed to drag on, his words becoming more and more damning by the moment. Her gaze darted between her uncle, her brother, and Lord Gavriil, her mind racing faster than she could actually comprehend everything.
It was the accusation of Stephanos murdering her father and brother, their father and brother, than had her turning her gaze on Stephanos once more. Because he was up and out of his chair, his temper lost. Part of her wanted to tell him to calm down. That he should not let such bold accusations get to him, especially if they weren't true. Keeping a firm hold on her sister, as if she would be lost without the familiar touch. Xene's gaze remained on Stephanos, silently imploring the man to breathe, to return to his seated position and allow the men to continue to discuss the matter at hand.
Surely, if the accusations were, in fact, false... there would be no problem? There would be no further issue as soon as they walked from this room. But why, pray tell, had Irakles waited for so long to bring such a revelation to light? The lack of senators there to defend her brother was... glaring, and suddenly Xene found her distrust for her uncle growing once more.
Xene found that she had to take a steadying breath to keep her own temper in check, knowing full well that her brother had nothing to do with it. With the murder. With the loss. Stephanos had never wanted the crown to begin with. His actions in her rooms, when she had revealed Zacharias' secret to him... that had been real. True. The emotions, the feelings were real.
Stephanos wouldn't have murdered his own father and brother for a crown that he did not want.
Xene knew that better than anybody.
Xene felt like she could breathe properly the moment that she felt Gianna's arm looping into hers. Immediately reaching over and clasping her other hand over top of her sister's, she turned her gaze on the younger woman, keeping a strong front. "He always is, in his own little way," Xene murmured in a soft voice. "You look stunning, Gianna," she then hummed, squeezing her hand just briefly. Up until this point, she had been waiting for her sister to join her before she stepped into the arcus, and now that they were arm and arm, she didn't hesitate.
She only spared a glance toward Eirini and Meena, letting her feet guide her toward the group of men. They would not be allowed entrance, much to Xene's... delight. Her dinner with Lord Fotios and Lady Eirini had left her feeling... somewhat bitter, after all.
They entered behind most of them, moving themselves to stand close to Stephanos. As the direct family members of the King, they had every right to stand in this meeting hall, arm in arm and watching every move of each Senator or Master in the room.
Heron was outside listening to everything he could and Xene was on the inside, listening for whispers of information that she could use later. Everything to ensure that Stephanos kept a stable image, a stable era of ruling, and his head. Most important of all was keeping his head.
When everyone had settled and the meeting started, Xene simply listened, calculated.
Then her stomach dropped when Irakles rose to address the senate. Her hold on Gianna immediately tightened, lifting her chin as if to observe the man closer. Really, truly absorb the words he spoke. Because they were borderline treason. If it were any other King on the throne, discrediting the King may have lead to more violent action or reaction.
But Irakles didn't just stop at insulting her brother's tendencies for women and siring children. The man seemed to drag on, his words becoming more and more damning by the moment. Her gaze darted between her uncle, her brother, and Lord Gavriil, her mind racing faster than she could actually comprehend everything.
It was the accusation of Stephanos murdering her father and brother, their father and brother, than had her turning her gaze on Stephanos once more. Because he was up and out of his chair, his temper lost. Part of her wanted to tell him to calm down. That he should not let such bold accusations get to him, especially if they weren't true. Keeping a firm hold on her sister, as if she would be lost without the familiar touch. Xene's gaze remained on Stephanos, silently imploring the man to breathe, to return to his seated position and allow the men to continue to discuss the matter at hand.
Surely, if the accusations were, in fact, false... there would be no problem? There would be no further issue as soon as they walked from this room. But why, pray tell, had Irakles waited for so long to bring such a revelation to light? The lack of senators there to defend her brother was... glaring, and suddenly Xene found her distrust for her uncle growing once more.
Xene found that she had to take a steadying breath to keep her own temper in check, knowing full well that her brother had nothing to do with it. With the murder. With the loss. Stephanos had never wanted the crown to begin with. His actions in her rooms, when she had revealed Zacharias' secret to him... that had been real. True. The emotions, the feelings were real.
Stephanos wouldn't have murdered his own father and brother for a crown that he did not want.
Xene knew that better than anybody.
He could almost feel the tension in the Dikasitrio rise as he ended his words, and loud whispers rushed through the cavernous meeting hall like a tidal wave attacking a city. Standing atop the dais though, Irakles appeared unperturbed as the lords in attendance casted furtive eyes, both at the prince and the King he now stood with his back facing. Many of them knew Irakles would be making a statement today - they just did not know the severity of his statement. They had nodded in accordance to his earlier statements of Stephanos being possibly unfit to lead as a King, that the kingdom was being gambled on an inexperienced monarch's learnig curve - but to call him a murderer? That was out of a left wing,even for Irakles.
But the prince would not throw something so large at stake, if he did not have his own hidden cards at hand.
Waiting till they settled, it seemed however, his nephew would grab the chance first before he could continue his words. The elder Mikaelidas clenched his firsts behind him at his nephew's indulgent smile, but outwardly, Irakles was but polite and careful with his choice of words. "Did I suggest your only fault to be that of your bastard children, my King?" he replied with an easy smile, a brief reminder of the other proclivities he had named in Stephanos's wake - rash actions, uncertain decisions, denial of assistance from someone clearly more experienced then he in matters of the state... Irakles could go on.
Lord Gavriil was the first to speak upon his nephew's resuming of is seat, and Irakles turned to face the Dimitrou baron as he spoke in an even tone. Gavriil was not someone known to speak in a public forum, yet here he was, voicing an opinion that Irakles knew many probably had. He was not delusional, of course, Irakles was smarter then that. "Of course, my lord." he demured, tilting his head respectfully as the lord sat down, before turning to address the crowd at large again.
He had greater plans today, much more then just to shame his nephew's actions. For at his wave of hand, Ujarak, who had been waiting in the wings, would bring forward two mousy looking stablehands, who swore an oath to the Gods, before they joined Irakles on the dais. Once there, Irakles turned to the Chief Advisor of the Senate, giving the man a respectful bow before gesturing at the two boys Ujarak had brought forward. "I have here, two stablehands who were on duty the day of the chariot races." The two boys, mousy as they were, were clearly around the ages of thirteen to fifteen, old enough to be proper witnesses. Stepping back, he ensured the Chief Advisor was nearby enough to be able to bear witness to the fact that Irakles did not make any form of motion that would threaten the boys, as he asked, "You came to me to tell me something two days prior. Do you mind telling it to the rest of the Taengean lords?"
While clearly scared, the furtive looks were of nerves as the two exchanged looks, before one spoke out in a voice that was clearer then expected judging from their skinny frames. "We had heard whispers on the streets that a hooded figure bearing a golden ring had been seen on the streets... and we thought Prince Irakles should at least be informed that Pri- King Stephanos had been horribly late on the morning of the chariot races. He made it just in time for his chariot to be wheeled to the starting line."
Silence fell. Irakles smiled, and nodded, motioning at Ujarak to take them away. As the whispers started again however, the prince held his hand up to signal at the crowd by and large to remain silent as Ujarak brought forward yet another servant. Young, nubile, a brunette young lady who worked in the royal palati, the home of Stephanos, as well as Zenon and Zacharias before their untimely death.
Her hands had received is sack of gold coins just the week before.
Stepping on the dais, Irakles again did a respectful bow to the Chief Advisor, before addressing the young, nervous-looking maid. "Do you mind introducing yourself to the rest of the Senate?"
"Y-yes, my prince." she murmured, and then turn to speak in a slightly louder voice. "M-My name is Zenis of V-Vasiliadon. I work in the royal palati, as a servant girl, cleaning the royal chambers. I-" At that point, she flicked an uncertain gaze at the Chief Advisor, who gave a calming nod for her to continue. "I had been cleaning the hallways of the family quarters that morning of the chariot races before the family was scheduled to awake, and I saw Pri- King Stephanos exiting from the late Crown Prince's chambers."
"However, it was only a week ago, when I was giving the chambers of the Crown Prince a final clean due to its neglect since the tragedy, that I found this." At those words, Ujarak stepped forward, and on a tray, were bloodied, torn chitons that had obviously seen finer days. The gold threadings were unmistakably of royal outfits.
"You said you found them in the former Crown Prince's chambers?" the Chief Advisor asked, to which the servant girl meekly nodded. The Chief Advisor turned to Irakles, who nodded "That is all, Zenis. Ujarak, the final one, if you would please." He had met this one two days prior, another bag of gold exchanged hands, and a deal sealed.
Whispers brewed again, but once the bearded, tanned male stepped on the dais, silence fell again as all waited with rapt attention to hear what this final one had to say. The Chief Advisor gave the signal, and the bearded old man started speaking, "I am Gaius, the gardener in the palati. Just a month or so after the tragedy, I found this in a bush under the windows of King Stephanos's chambers," the man gestured at a new tray Ujarak now held, holding a pair of bloodied sandals, along with a blood-caked himation and stained fibulae of the Mikaelidas crest. "I had brought it straight to Prince Irakles, so it seemed imperative that such matters be brought to light."
Irakles nodded in returned, smiling as he responded in a grave tone, "Indeed Gaius, we shall find justice." he murmured, the Chief Advisor waving the old gardener off, before Irakles turned to the Senate again. "As you can see, my lords, I've had a most trying month. I do not wish to believe such nefarious deeds would come of my own siblings offspring... but should we not look into such extensive clues provided? We have not found the body of my eldest nephew, and I am pained to imagine what has happened to his soul stuck, unable to cross the river Styx."
Allowing the lords some time to discuss amongst themselves, Irakles winced as his chest twinged, rubbing it a little, before speaking again to address the nobility and royalty in attendance. "I do not wish to ask for an immediate sentence, my lords. I merely seek for us to reconsider my nephew's position for now - for the accusations thrown would be dangerous if he retains a position as the leader and sovereign, to us, and to Taengea at large." He paused, as if thinking of a solution, and then turned to the Chief Advisor to ask. "What should be the appropriate action taken, if one were to handle a situation as this?"
Of course, he already knew, and could practically predict what the Chief Advisor would say.
The Taengean senate advisor paused, considering Irakles's words, before he stepped back to call upon the remainder of the advisor's to the crown. The group of men conferred amongst themselves with hushed whispers, before eventually, the Chief Advisor stepped back on to the dais, addressing everyone in a booming voice, as Irakles stepped back to allow the Advisor to take the stage. "In lieu of certain developments, the Advisors suggest that King Stephanos and Queen Olympia be confined to the palati while further investigations are carried out. Are all barons in favor?"[/b] The voice rang out clear, and the murmurs started between the nobles. Yet it did not take long before a few hands were raised in favor of the motion, the very ones Irakles had shared meals and spoken with prior to the Senate meet. The ones loyal to Irakles, as well as the ones who had swayed but he had convinced. Briefly, his gaze fell upon his sons, the Lord Nikolias and Lord Gavriil, curious as to their decision. He had managed to speak to most members of the Senate, but that did not mean he wasn't interested in their decision, still. Although really, the prince had this in the bag. Coins had exchanged hands for a reason.
Irakles smiled, and turned to Stephanos in a languid manner. But only his nephew would be able to see the spark in his eyes.
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He could almost feel the tension in the Dikasitrio rise as he ended his words, and loud whispers rushed through the cavernous meeting hall like a tidal wave attacking a city. Standing atop the dais though, Irakles appeared unperturbed as the lords in attendance casted furtive eyes, both at the prince and the King he now stood with his back facing. Many of them knew Irakles would be making a statement today - they just did not know the severity of his statement. They had nodded in accordance to his earlier statements of Stephanos being possibly unfit to lead as a King, that the kingdom was being gambled on an inexperienced monarch's learnig curve - but to call him a murderer? That was out of a left wing,even for Irakles.
But the prince would not throw something so large at stake, if he did not have his own hidden cards at hand.
Waiting till they settled, it seemed however, his nephew would grab the chance first before he could continue his words. The elder Mikaelidas clenched his firsts behind him at his nephew's indulgent smile, but outwardly, Irakles was but polite and careful with his choice of words. "Did I suggest your only fault to be that of your bastard children, my King?" he replied with an easy smile, a brief reminder of the other proclivities he had named in Stephanos's wake - rash actions, uncertain decisions, denial of assistance from someone clearly more experienced then he in matters of the state... Irakles could go on.
Lord Gavriil was the first to speak upon his nephew's resuming of is seat, and Irakles turned to face the Dimitrou baron as he spoke in an even tone. Gavriil was not someone known to speak in a public forum, yet here he was, voicing an opinion that Irakles knew many probably had. He was not delusional, of course, Irakles was smarter then that. "Of course, my lord." he demured, tilting his head respectfully as the lord sat down, before turning to address the crowd at large again.
He had greater plans today, much more then just to shame his nephew's actions. For at his wave of hand, Ujarak, who had been waiting in the wings, would bring forward two mousy looking stablehands, who swore an oath to the Gods, before they joined Irakles on the dais. Once there, Irakles turned to the Chief Advisor of the Senate, giving the man a respectful bow before gesturing at the two boys Ujarak had brought forward. "I have here, two stablehands who were on duty the day of the chariot races." The two boys, mousy as they were, were clearly around the ages of thirteen to fifteen, old enough to be proper witnesses. Stepping back, he ensured the Chief Advisor was nearby enough to be able to bear witness to the fact that Irakles did not make any form of motion that would threaten the boys, as he asked, "You came to me to tell me something two days prior. Do you mind telling it to the rest of the Taengean lords?"
While clearly scared, the furtive looks were of nerves as the two exchanged looks, before one spoke out in a voice that was clearer then expected judging from their skinny frames. "We had heard whispers on the streets that a hooded figure bearing a golden ring had been seen on the streets... and we thought Prince Irakles should at least be informed that Pri- King Stephanos had been horribly late on the morning of the chariot races. He made it just in time for his chariot to be wheeled to the starting line."
Silence fell. Irakles smiled, and nodded, motioning at Ujarak to take them away. As the whispers started again however, the prince held his hand up to signal at the crowd by and large to remain silent as Ujarak brought forward yet another servant. Young, nubile, a brunette young lady who worked in the royal palati, the home of Stephanos, as well as Zenon and Zacharias before their untimely death.
Her hands had received is sack of gold coins just the week before.
Stepping on the dais, Irakles again did a respectful bow to the Chief Advisor, before addressing the young, nervous-looking maid. "Do you mind introducing yourself to the rest of the Senate?"
"Y-yes, my prince." she murmured, and then turn to speak in a slightly louder voice. "M-My name is Zenis of V-Vasiliadon. I work in the royal palati, as a servant girl, cleaning the royal chambers. I-" At that point, she flicked an uncertain gaze at the Chief Advisor, who gave a calming nod for her to continue. "I had been cleaning the hallways of the family quarters that morning of the chariot races before the family was scheduled to awake, and I saw Pri- King Stephanos exiting from the late Crown Prince's chambers."
"However, it was only a week ago, when I was giving the chambers of the Crown Prince a final clean due to its neglect since the tragedy, that I found this." At those words, Ujarak stepped forward, and on a tray, were bloodied, torn chitons that had obviously seen finer days. The gold threadings were unmistakably of royal outfits.
"You said you found them in the former Crown Prince's chambers?" the Chief Advisor asked, to which the servant girl meekly nodded. The Chief Advisor turned to Irakles, who nodded "That is all, Zenis. Ujarak, the final one, if you would please." He had met this one two days prior, another bag of gold exchanged hands, and a deal sealed.
Whispers brewed again, but once the bearded, tanned male stepped on the dais, silence fell again as all waited with rapt attention to hear what this final one had to say. The Chief Advisor gave the signal, and the bearded old man started speaking, "I am Gaius, the gardener in the palati. Just a month or so after the tragedy, I found this in a bush under the windows of King Stephanos's chambers," the man gestured at a new tray Ujarak now held, holding a pair of bloodied sandals, along with a blood-caked himation and stained fibulae of the Mikaelidas crest. "I had brought it straight to Prince Irakles, so it seemed imperative that such matters be brought to light."
Irakles nodded in returned, smiling as he responded in a grave tone, "Indeed Gaius, we shall find justice." he murmured, the Chief Advisor waving the old gardener off, before Irakles turned to the Senate again. "As you can see, my lords, I've had a most trying month. I do not wish to believe such nefarious deeds would come of my own siblings offspring... but should we not look into such extensive clues provided? We have not found the body of my eldest nephew, and I am pained to imagine what has happened to his soul stuck, unable to cross the river Styx."
Allowing the lords some time to discuss amongst themselves, Irakles winced as his chest twinged, rubbing it a little, before speaking again to address the nobility and royalty in attendance. "I do not wish to ask for an immediate sentence, my lords. I merely seek for us to reconsider my nephew's position for now - for the accusations thrown would be dangerous if he retains a position as the leader and sovereign, to us, and to Taengea at large." He paused, as if thinking of a solution, and then turned to the Chief Advisor to ask. "What should be the appropriate action taken, if one were to handle a situation as this?"
Of course, he already knew, and could practically predict what the Chief Advisor would say.
The Taengean senate advisor paused, considering Irakles's words, before he stepped back to call upon the remainder of the advisor's to the crown. The group of men conferred amongst themselves with hushed whispers, before eventually, the Chief Advisor stepped back on to the dais, addressing everyone in a booming voice, as Irakles stepped back to allow the Advisor to take the stage. "In lieu of certain developments, the Advisors suggest that King Stephanos and Queen Olympia be confined to the palati while further investigations are carried out. Are all barons in favor?"[/b] The voice rang out clear, and the murmurs started between the nobles. Yet it did not take long before a few hands were raised in favor of the motion, the very ones Irakles had shared meals and spoken with prior to the Senate meet. The ones loyal to Irakles, as well as the ones who had swayed but he had convinced. Briefly, his gaze fell upon his sons, the Lord Nikolias and Lord Gavriil, curious as to their decision. He had managed to speak to most members of the Senate, but that did not mean he wasn't interested in their decision, still. Although really, the prince had this in the bag. Coins had exchanged hands for a reason.
Irakles smiled, and turned to Stephanos in a languid manner. But only his nephew would be able to see the spark in his eyes.
Check. Mate.
He could almost feel the tension in the Dikasitrio rise as he ended his words, and loud whispers rushed through the cavernous meeting hall like a tidal wave attacking a city. Standing atop the dais though, Irakles appeared unperturbed as the lords in attendance casted furtive eyes, both at the prince and the King he now stood with his back facing. Many of them knew Irakles would be making a statement today - they just did not know the severity of his statement. They had nodded in accordance to his earlier statements of Stephanos being possibly unfit to lead as a King, that the kingdom was being gambled on an inexperienced monarch's learnig curve - but to call him a murderer? That was out of a left wing,even for Irakles.
But the prince would not throw something so large at stake, if he did not have his own hidden cards at hand.
Waiting till they settled, it seemed however, his nephew would grab the chance first before he could continue his words. The elder Mikaelidas clenched his firsts behind him at his nephew's indulgent smile, but outwardly, Irakles was but polite and careful with his choice of words. "Did I suggest your only fault to be that of your bastard children, my King?" he replied with an easy smile, a brief reminder of the other proclivities he had named in Stephanos's wake - rash actions, uncertain decisions, denial of assistance from someone clearly more experienced then he in matters of the state... Irakles could go on.
Lord Gavriil was the first to speak upon his nephew's resuming of is seat, and Irakles turned to face the Dimitrou baron as he spoke in an even tone. Gavriil was not someone known to speak in a public forum, yet here he was, voicing an opinion that Irakles knew many probably had. He was not delusional, of course, Irakles was smarter then that. "Of course, my lord." he demured, tilting his head respectfully as the lord sat down, before turning to address the crowd at large again.
He had greater plans today, much more then just to shame his nephew's actions. For at his wave of hand, Ujarak, who had been waiting in the wings, would bring forward two mousy looking stablehands, who swore an oath to the Gods, before they joined Irakles on the dais. Once there, Irakles turned to the Chief Advisor of the Senate, giving the man a respectful bow before gesturing at the two boys Ujarak had brought forward. "I have here, two stablehands who were on duty the day of the chariot races." The two boys, mousy as they were, were clearly around the ages of thirteen to fifteen, old enough to be proper witnesses. Stepping back, he ensured the Chief Advisor was nearby enough to be able to bear witness to the fact that Irakles did not make any form of motion that would threaten the boys, as he asked, "You came to me to tell me something two days prior. Do you mind telling it to the rest of the Taengean lords?"
While clearly scared, the furtive looks were of nerves as the two exchanged looks, before one spoke out in a voice that was clearer then expected judging from their skinny frames. "We had heard whispers on the streets that a hooded figure bearing a golden ring had been seen on the streets... and we thought Prince Irakles should at least be informed that Pri- King Stephanos had been horribly late on the morning of the chariot races. He made it just in time for his chariot to be wheeled to the starting line."
Silence fell. Irakles smiled, and nodded, motioning at Ujarak to take them away. As the whispers started again however, the prince held his hand up to signal at the crowd by and large to remain silent as Ujarak brought forward yet another servant. Young, nubile, a brunette young lady who worked in the royal palati, the home of Stephanos, as well as Zenon and Zacharias before their untimely death.
Her hands had received is sack of gold coins just the week before.
Stepping on the dais, Irakles again did a respectful bow to the Chief Advisor, before addressing the young, nervous-looking maid. "Do you mind introducing yourself to the rest of the Senate?"
"Y-yes, my prince." she murmured, and then turn to speak in a slightly louder voice. "M-My name is Zenis of V-Vasiliadon. I work in the royal palati, as a servant girl, cleaning the royal chambers. I-" At that point, she flicked an uncertain gaze at the Chief Advisor, who gave a calming nod for her to continue. "I had been cleaning the hallways of the family quarters that morning of the chariot races before the family was scheduled to awake, and I saw Pri- King Stephanos exiting from the late Crown Prince's chambers."
"However, it was only a week ago, when I was giving the chambers of the Crown Prince a final clean due to its neglect since the tragedy, that I found this." At those words, Ujarak stepped forward, and on a tray, were bloodied, torn chitons that had obviously seen finer days. The gold threadings were unmistakably of royal outfits.
"You said you found them in the former Crown Prince's chambers?" the Chief Advisor asked, to which the servant girl meekly nodded. The Chief Advisor turned to Irakles, who nodded "That is all, Zenis. Ujarak, the final one, if you would please." He had met this one two days prior, another bag of gold exchanged hands, and a deal sealed.
Whispers brewed again, but once the bearded, tanned male stepped on the dais, silence fell again as all waited with rapt attention to hear what this final one had to say. The Chief Advisor gave the signal, and the bearded old man started speaking, "I am Gaius, the gardener in the palati. Just a month or so after the tragedy, I found this in a bush under the windows of King Stephanos's chambers," the man gestured at a new tray Ujarak now held, holding a pair of bloodied sandals, along with a blood-caked himation and stained fibulae of the Mikaelidas crest. "I had brought it straight to Prince Irakles, so it seemed imperative that such matters be brought to light."
Irakles nodded in returned, smiling as he responded in a grave tone, "Indeed Gaius, we shall find justice." he murmured, the Chief Advisor waving the old gardener off, before Irakles turned to the Senate again. "As you can see, my lords, I've had a most trying month. I do not wish to believe such nefarious deeds would come of my own siblings offspring... but should we not look into such extensive clues provided? We have not found the body of my eldest nephew, and I am pained to imagine what has happened to his soul stuck, unable to cross the river Styx."
Allowing the lords some time to discuss amongst themselves, Irakles winced as his chest twinged, rubbing it a little, before speaking again to address the nobility and royalty in attendance. "I do not wish to ask for an immediate sentence, my lords. I merely seek for us to reconsider my nephew's position for now - for the accusations thrown would be dangerous if he retains a position as the leader and sovereign, to us, and to Taengea at large." He paused, as if thinking of a solution, and then turned to the Chief Advisor to ask. "What should be the appropriate action taken, if one were to handle a situation as this?"
Of course, he already knew, and could practically predict what the Chief Advisor would say.
The Taengean senate advisor paused, considering Irakles's words, before he stepped back to call upon the remainder of the advisor's to the crown. The group of men conferred amongst themselves with hushed whispers, before eventually, the Chief Advisor stepped back on to the dais, addressing everyone in a booming voice, as Irakles stepped back to allow the Advisor to take the stage. "In lieu of certain developments, the Advisors suggest that King Stephanos and Queen Olympia be confined to the palati while further investigations are carried out. Are all barons in favor?"[/b] The voice rang out clear, and the murmurs started between the nobles. Yet it did not take long before a few hands were raised in favor of the motion, the very ones Irakles had shared meals and spoken with prior to the Senate meet. The ones loyal to Irakles, as well as the ones who had swayed but he had convinced. Briefly, his gaze fell upon his sons, the Lord Nikolias and Lord Gavriil, curious as to their decision. He had managed to speak to most members of the Senate, but that did not mean he wasn't interested in their decision, still. Although really, the prince had this in the bag. Coins had exchanged hands for a reason.
Irakles smiled, and turned to Stephanos in a languid manner. But only his nephew would be able to see the spark in his eyes.
Check. Mate.
Fotios was a watcher. Not a speaker. He analysed and assessed the Senate meet as it continued on. He nodded occasionally when he noticed how the barons of his own lands turned to assess his reactions and his loyalties or beliefs and he frowned when something displeased him so that his own lords would know to stay their hand or shut their mouths. Whilst Irakles was known for being a shrewd and commanding Head of House and held the loyalty of the Mikaelidas barons through his reputation and the trust and faith they had in the great General of Taengea, the powerful men of the Leventi lands supporting their vassal more in fear of what would happen if they didn't.
So, as the procedures went on, with minor skirmishes or issues regarding border disputes, killed livestock and some tax inquiries, Fotios offered almost nothing to the conversations and simply remained seated on his step of the amphitheatre, one elbow on the raised ledge behind him and his index finger resting over his mouth as he appeared focused on the proceedings.
Which he was. But only in the sense that he liked to know just about everything in the kingdom. Some lords in the open room would switch off during this piece of the congregation. They would turn their attentions away from the plights and difficulties of others because it made no sense to them to be knowledgeable of the smallest incident to occur in other parts of Serenn or her sister isles. Fotios, on the other hand, knew the importance of knowledge. And even information regarding when a particular servant in a particular household had a sniffle could be made use of later.
Such as when he discovered that the young woman who worked in the palace had a sick son... He just happened to mention that to his friend Prince Irakles about ten days ago...
As Fotios continued to watch from a seat towards the edge and up near the back of the open structure - for he never liked to be central to the attentions or focuses of others, he was absorbing every piece of information her heard and recording it to memory. There was never an issue or concern that could ever be considered unimportant. Perhaps not useful right now... but always important.
It was towards the end of the event that the Prince Irakles rose from his seat and proceeded down the steps to the front space of the amphitheatre, taking on his role as orator. A role he was very good at. It was clear, watching him stand there before the people of Taengea, in his finery and his impressive height and shape that he was a great leader of men. Someone who had commanded the loyalty and fealty of thousands of men he had led into battles over the years. Whilst it was clear that Stephanos neither trusted nor liked his uncle, it was also clear that he was in the minority on that opinion. Irakles was everything a King should be and any irritation on Stephanos' part risked coming across as jealousy.
He had warned the king's sister Xene that if Stephanos couldn't hold his temper people would see it as a weakness...
As the accusation progressed and evidence was brought out against the King, Fotios continued to hold his features in an expression of genuine surprise, thoughtfulness and shrewd consideration. There was no need for anyone in the building to think that he had any connection to the three witnesses nor any prior knowledge of their arrival within the stadium. He was to be just as surprised as the rest of them.
When the Prince Irakles spoke to the Chief Advisor asking for judgement - for when it was the King being accused by the next heir to the throne who else was there to turn to for an assessment of action? - the Advisor showed his fortitude by rallying despite the severity of the situation and the small group of chatting men quickly came to the suggested conclusion of house arrest for the King and his wife.
Fotios glanced at the audience; an audience he had rigged to be as full of Irakles' supporters as was possible without raising suspicion beyond the point of coincidence, and noticed that some were clearly onboard - scandalised that their current monarch might have been responsible for the death of the previous; after all, who benefited most from the death of Zenon and Zacharias, if not the second prince who would have never had the opportunity to be king otherwise? - whilst others were looking more doubtful.
The Lord Gavriil even spoke up for further confirmation half way through Irakles' accusation, as the King had interrupted proceedings. A few others held similar frowns, and Fotios noticed that one belonged to Irakles' own son, Emilios.
Before Irakles called for a vote on the proceedings, Fotios raised a hand to speak - uncommon for himself within the Senate - and its sheer rarity caused several lords to stop, look and pay attention. Not standing, nor moving to the main floor, Fotios simply sat up straighter on his row and offered his words in a calming and reasonable tone.
"My Lords of the Senate, this is a grievous accusation indeed but let us not allow personal quarrels to cloud our judgement." He said, before turning his gaze towards the King. "Your Majesty, those in this room who believe your innocence can understand your frustrations, but consider yourself. To accuse Prince Irakles of lying only adds a second accusation of treason to this discussion. If you have proof of His Highness's words being false as he does of them being true then please..." Fotios offered out a hand. "But until then, I am of the opinion that our laws stand and legal protocol is best followed in times of grief such as these." Fotios tilted his head a little and his expression became saddened. "House arrest will allow a fair investigation which will no doubt exonerate the innocent and find those deplorable enough to commit regicide." He smiled a little in an expression that seemed to offer camaraderie, a hand coming up to rest over his heart. "Allow your lords, Your Majesty, to find the truth of the matter. Your innocence would surely mean this to all be a series of unfortunate coincidences and might even lend further evidence to finding the real killer of King Zenon and Prince Zacharias. I move to offer my agreement of the Advisors' decision to, if nothing else, offer the late king and heir the respect of a full investigation into this information."
Whether it was his words or his actions, or had nothing to do with him at all, the vote that was then cast after other lords had had their say, swung in Irakles' favour, passing the decision that the King and his Queen should be kept under lock and key until the evidence and accusations had been thoroughly assessed. Either way though, his words allowed Fotios to raise his hand in favour of captivity for their monarch in a manner that allowed him to keep loyalties to both his friend and to his niece. For what he said was true... If a fair investigation was indeed carried out, Stephanos' innocence would be proven... It was simply likely that Stephanos' uncle had no intention of carrying out a "fair" anything...
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Fotios was a watcher. Not a speaker. He analysed and assessed the Senate meet as it continued on. He nodded occasionally when he noticed how the barons of his own lands turned to assess his reactions and his loyalties or beliefs and he frowned when something displeased him so that his own lords would know to stay their hand or shut their mouths. Whilst Irakles was known for being a shrewd and commanding Head of House and held the loyalty of the Mikaelidas barons through his reputation and the trust and faith they had in the great General of Taengea, the powerful men of the Leventi lands supporting their vassal more in fear of what would happen if they didn't.
So, as the procedures went on, with minor skirmishes or issues regarding border disputes, killed livestock and some tax inquiries, Fotios offered almost nothing to the conversations and simply remained seated on his step of the amphitheatre, one elbow on the raised ledge behind him and his index finger resting over his mouth as he appeared focused on the proceedings.
Which he was. But only in the sense that he liked to know just about everything in the kingdom. Some lords in the open room would switch off during this piece of the congregation. They would turn their attentions away from the plights and difficulties of others because it made no sense to them to be knowledgeable of the smallest incident to occur in other parts of Serenn or her sister isles. Fotios, on the other hand, knew the importance of knowledge. And even information regarding when a particular servant in a particular household had a sniffle could be made use of later.
Such as when he discovered that the young woman who worked in the palace had a sick son... He just happened to mention that to his friend Prince Irakles about ten days ago...
As Fotios continued to watch from a seat towards the edge and up near the back of the open structure - for he never liked to be central to the attentions or focuses of others, he was absorbing every piece of information her heard and recording it to memory. There was never an issue or concern that could ever be considered unimportant. Perhaps not useful right now... but always important.
It was towards the end of the event that the Prince Irakles rose from his seat and proceeded down the steps to the front space of the amphitheatre, taking on his role as orator. A role he was very good at. It was clear, watching him stand there before the people of Taengea, in his finery and his impressive height and shape that he was a great leader of men. Someone who had commanded the loyalty and fealty of thousands of men he had led into battles over the years. Whilst it was clear that Stephanos neither trusted nor liked his uncle, it was also clear that he was in the minority on that opinion. Irakles was everything a King should be and any irritation on Stephanos' part risked coming across as jealousy.
He had warned the king's sister Xene that if Stephanos couldn't hold his temper people would see it as a weakness...
As the accusation progressed and evidence was brought out against the King, Fotios continued to hold his features in an expression of genuine surprise, thoughtfulness and shrewd consideration. There was no need for anyone in the building to think that he had any connection to the three witnesses nor any prior knowledge of their arrival within the stadium. He was to be just as surprised as the rest of them.
When the Prince Irakles spoke to the Chief Advisor asking for judgement - for when it was the King being accused by the next heir to the throne who else was there to turn to for an assessment of action? - the Advisor showed his fortitude by rallying despite the severity of the situation and the small group of chatting men quickly came to the suggested conclusion of house arrest for the King and his wife.
Fotios glanced at the audience; an audience he had rigged to be as full of Irakles' supporters as was possible without raising suspicion beyond the point of coincidence, and noticed that some were clearly onboard - scandalised that their current monarch might have been responsible for the death of the previous; after all, who benefited most from the death of Zenon and Zacharias, if not the second prince who would have never had the opportunity to be king otherwise? - whilst others were looking more doubtful.
The Lord Gavriil even spoke up for further confirmation half way through Irakles' accusation, as the King had interrupted proceedings. A few others held similar frowns, and Fotios noticed that one belonged to Irakles' own son, Emilios.
Before Irakles called for a vote on the proceedings, Fotios raised a hand to speak - uncommon for himself within the Senate - and its sheer rarity caused several lords to stop, look and pay attention. Not standing, nor moving to the main floor, Fotios simply sat up straighter on his row and offered his words in a calming and reasonable tone.
"My Lords of the Senate, this is a grievous accusation indeed but let us not allow personal quarrels to cloud our judgement." He said, before turning his gaze towards the King. "Your Majesty, those in this room who believe your innocence can understand your frustrations, but consider yourself. To accuse Prince Irakles of lying only adds a second accusation of treason to this discussion. If you have proof of His Highness's words being false as he does of them being true then please..." Fotios offered out a hand. "But until then, I am of the opinion that our laws stand and legal protocol is best followed in times of grief such as these." Fotios tilted his head a little and his expression became saddened. "House arrest will allow a fair investigation which will no doubt exonerate the innocent and find those deplorable enough to commit regicide." He smiled a little in an expression that seemed to offer camaraderie, a hand coming up to rest over his heart. "Allow your lords, Your Majesty, to find the truth of the matter. Your innocence would surely mean this to all be a series of unfortunate coincidences and might even lend further evidence to finding the real killer of King Zenon and Prince Zacharias. I move to offer my agreement of the Advisors' decision to, if nothing else, offer the late king and heir the respect of a full investigation into this information."
Whether it was his words or his actions, or had nothing to do with him at all, the vote that was then cast after other lords had had their say, swung in Irakles' favour, passing the decision that the King and his Queen should be kept under lock and key until the evidence and accusations had been thoroughly assessed. Either way though, his words allowed Fotios to raise his hand in favour of captivity for their monarch in a manner that allowed him to keep loyalties to both his friend and to his niece. For what he said was true... If a fair investigation was indeed carried out, Stephanos' innocence would be proven... It was simply likely that Stephanos' uncle had no intention of carrying out a "fair" anything...
Fotios was a watcher. Not a speaker. He analysed and assessed the Senate meet as it continued on. He nodded occasionally when he noticed how the barons of his own lands turned to assess his reactions and his loyalties or beliefs and he frowned when something displeased him so that his own lords would know to stay their hand or shut their mouths. Whilst Irakles was known for being a shrewd and commanding Head of House and held the loyalty of the Mikaelidas barons through his reputation and the trust and faith they had in the great General of Taengea, the powerful men of the Leventi lands supporting their vassal more in fear of what would happen if they didn't.
So, as the procedures went on, with minor skirmishes or issues regarding border disputes, killed livestock and some tax inquiries, Fotios offered almost nothing to the conversations and simply remained seated on his step of the amphitheatre, one elbow on the raised ledge behind him and his index finger resting over his mouth as he appeared focused on the proceedings.
Which he was. But only in the sense that he liked to know just about everything in the kingdom. Some lords in the open room would switch off during this piece of the congregation. They would turn their attentions away from the plights and difficulties of others because it made no sense to them to be knowledgeable of the smallest incident to occur in other parts of Serenn or her sister isles. Fotios, on the other hand, knew the importance of knowledge. And even information regarding when a particular servant in a particular household had a sniffle could be made use of later.
Such as when he discovered that the young woman who worked in the palace had a sick son... He just happened to mention that to his friend Prince Irakles about ten days ago...
As Fotios continued to watch from a seat towards the edge and up near the back of the open structure - for he never liked to be central to the attentions or focuses of others, he was absorbing every piece of information her heard and recording it to memory. There was never an issue or concern that could ever be considered unimportant. Perhaps not useful right now... but always important.
It was towards the end of the event that the Prince Irakles rose from his seat and proceeded down the steps to the front space of the amphitheatre, taking on his role as orator. A role he was very good at. It was clear, watching him stand there before the people of Taengea, in his finery and his impressive height and shape that he was a great leader of men. Someone who had commanded the loyalty and fealty of thousands of men he had led into battles over the years. Whilst it was clear that Stephanos neither trusted nor liked his uncle, it was also clear that he was in the minority on that opinion. Irakles was everything a King should be and any irritation on Stephanos' part risked coming across as jealousy.
He had warned the king's sister Xene that if Stephanos couldn't hold his temper people would see it as a weakness...
As the accusation progressed and evidence was brought out against the King, Fotios continued to hold his features in an expression of genuine surprise, thoughtfulness and shrewd consideration. There was no need for anyone in the building to think that he had any connection to the three witnesses nor any prior knowledge of their arrival within the stadium. He was to be just as surprised as the rest of them.
When the Prince Irakles spoke to the Chief Advisor asking for judgement - for when it was the King being accused by the next heir to the throne who else was there to turn to for an assessment of action? - the Advisor showed his fortitude by rallying despite the severity of the situation and the small group of chatting men quickly came to the suggested conclusion of house arrest for the King and his wife.
Fotios glanced at the audience; an audience he had rigged to be as full of Irakles' supporters as was possible without raising suspicion beyond the point of coincidence, and noticed that some were clearly onboard - scandalised that their current monarch might have been responsible for the death of the previous; after all, who benefited most from the death of Zenon and Zacharias, if not the second prince who would have never had the opportunity to be king otherwise? - whilst others were looking more doubtful.
The Lord Gavriil even spoke up for further confirmation half way through Irakles' accusation, as the King had interrupted proceedings. A few others held similar frowns, and Fotios noticed that one belonged to Irakles' own son, Emilios.
Before Irakles called for a vote on the proceedings, Fotios raised a hand to speak - uncommon for himself within the Senate - and its sheer rarity caused several lords to stop, look and pay attention. Not standing, nor moving to the main floor, Fotios simply sat up straighter on his row and offered his words in a calming and reasonable tone.
"My Lords of the Senate, this is a grievous accusation indeed but let us not allow personal quarrels to cloud our judgement." He said, before turning his gaze towards the King. "Your Majesty, those in this room who believe your innocence can understand your frustrations, but consider yourself. To accuse Prince Irakles of lying only adds a second accusation of treason to this discussion. If you have proof of His Highness's words being false as he does of them being true then please..." Fotios offered out a hand. "But until then, I am of the opinion that our laws stand and legal protocol is best followed in times of grief such as these." Fotios tilted his head a little and his expression became saddened. "House arrest will allow a fair investigation which will no doubt exonerate the innocent and find those deplorable enough to commit regicide." He smiled a little in an expression that seemed to offer camaraderie, a hand coming up to rest over his heart. "Allow your lords, Your Majesty, to find the truth of the matter. Your innocence would surely mean this to all be a series of unfortunate coincidences and might even lend further evidence to finding the real killer of King Zenon and Prince Zacharias. I move to offer my agreement of the Advisors' decision to, if nothing else, offer the late king and heir the respect of a full investigation into this information."
Whether it was his words or his actions, or had nothing to do with him at all, the vote that was then cast after other lords had had their say, swung in Irakles' favour, passing the decision that the King and his Queen should be kept under lock and key until the evidence and accusations had been thoroughly assessed. Either way though, his words allowed Fotios to raise his hand in favour of captivity for their monarch in a manner that allowed him to keep loyalties to both his friend and to his niece. For what he said was true... If a fair investigation was indeed carried out, Stephanos' innocence would be proven... It was simply likely that Stephanos' uncle had no intention of carrying out a "fair" anything...
"He always is, in his own little way. You look stunning, Gianna."
Xene’s words, accompanied by the gentle squeeze of her hand, were like honey-wine and imbued Gianna with the warmth that could only be the comfort one experiences in the presence of a loved one. She offered her sister an appreciative smile that did not quite reach her eyes before they stepped into the arcus. With Xene by her side, Gianna found it much easier to maintain her composure, though she had to wonder how long she could continue being so unconcerned by the proceedings of the Senate meet.
In all honesty, a Senate meet was the last place the youngest princess ever wanted to be, but after the events of the past several weeks and with the queen mother electing to stay at the palati with Olympia… Gianna had felt the need to show her support of the Crown now more than ever, if only to her brother. The princesses took their place as the rest of the Senators settled in. While they were close to Stephanos, Gianna still felt as though they were worlds apart. She fought the urge to reach out, to put a silent and reassuring hand on his shoulder, instead choosing to subdue her profound sense of dread as the meet began.
Most of the issues discussed were the very reasons Gianna avoided the Senate at all costs—a faked ailment here or a “twisted ankle” there usually did the trick. As far as she was concerned, she had better things to do than listen to barons complain about insufficient funds and taxation and suggest amendments to the law, nothing that would ever directly affect the youngest princess and affairs in which the King generally did not interfere. As she almost fell victim to the lull of the monotonous pontification, Irakles lay claim to the floor.
Gianna’s blood ran cold and she was vaguely aware of her sister’s grip tightening on her arm. Her breathing turned shallow and she could barely make out her uncle’s words over the rushing she was certain only she could hear. This was exactly what Stephanos had feared, but in a much more public forum than Gianna had anticipated. She suddenly felt so small and helpless, reduced to a child as she was forced to witness the tongue lashing her brother received before Irakles revealed his final play.
With the accusation of regicide added to the King’s never-ending list of faults, it felt as though all the air had been sucked from the arcus. Why would Stephanos murder their father and brother? It was no secret he had no interest in the crown and with his reckless siring of numerous bastards, he made it rather obvious he never planned to govern. Gianna’s eyes focused on Stephanos who had burst from his chair, the infamous Mikaelidas temper flaring, and she felt her knees begin to buckle as she clung to her sister, her only safety in the moment.
Gianna sucked in a breath, trying in vain to regain her composure as Irakles presented his witnesses. Their testimonies were a blur as she tried to process her uncle’s betrayal. She had wanted so badly for Stephanos to be wrong, for it all to be a misunderstanding borne from rivalry, but this was much more than familial discord. This was the result of careful organization and forethought. She felt the beginning of a tear prick the corner of her eye and she fought it with the stubborn refusal to cry in front of a room of powerful men.
The voice of the Chief Advisor snapped her back to reality and Gianna listened intently as he delivered Stephanos and Olympia’s sentence of confinement. Upon the call for a vote, her heart sank a little more with each hand that raised. Looking around the room, it was not difficult to predict the outcome of the pending investigation. She could not recall ever feeling so trapped before in her life as she searched the Senators for a friendly face. Her gaze finally fell upon Achilleas whose arms were folded across his chest in determined defiance of his own father. Gianna caught her cousin’s eye and inclined her head ever so slightly to indicate her thanks.
At last she had found an ally.
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"He always is, in his own little way. You look stunning, Gianna."
Xene’s words, accompanied by the gentle squeeze of her hand, were like honey-wine and imbued Gianna with the warmth that could only be the comfort one experiences in the presence of a loved one. She offered her sister an appreciative smile that did not quite reach her eyes before they stepped into the arcus. With Xene by her side, Gianna found it much easier to maintain her composure, though she had to wonder how long she could continue being so unconcerned by the proceedings of the Senate meet.
In all honesty, a Senate meet was the last place the youngest princess ever wanted to be, but after the events of the past several weeks and with the queen mother electing to stay at the palati with Olympia… Gianna had felt the need to show her support of the Crown now more than ever, if only to her brother. The princesses took their place as the rest of the Senators settled in. While they were close to Stephanos, Gianna still felt as though they were worlds apart. She fought the urge to reach out, to put a silent and reassuring hand on his shoulder, instead choosing to subdue her profound sense of dread as the meet began.
Most of the issues discussed were the very reasons Gianna avoided the Senate at all costs—a faked ailment here or a “twisted ankle” there usually did the trick. As far as she was concerned, she had better things to do than listen to barons complain about insufficient funds and taxation and suggest amendments to the law, nothing that would ever directly affect the youngest princess and affairs in which the King generally did not interfere. As she almost fell victim to the lull of the monotonous pontification, Irakles lay claim to the floor.
Gianna’s blood ran cold and she was vaguely aware of her sister’s grip tightening on her arm. Her breathing turned shallow and she could barely make out her uncle’s words over the rushing she was certain only she could hear. This was exactly what Stephanos had feared, but in a much more public forum than Gianna had anticipated. She suddenly felt so small and helpless, reduced to a child as she was forced to witness the tongue lashing her brother received before Irakles revealed his final play.
With the accusation of regicide added to the King’s never-ending list of faults, it felt as though all the air had been sucked from the arcus. Why would Stephanos murder their father and brother? It was no secret he had no interest in the crown and with his reckless siring of numerous bastards, he made it rather obvious he never planned to govern. Gianna’s eyes focused on Stephanos who had burst from his chair, the infamous Mikaelidas temper flaring, and she felt her knees begin to buckle as she clung to her sister, her only safety in the moment.
Gianna sucked in a breath, trying in vain to regain her composure as Irakles presented his witnesses. Their testimonies were a blur as she tried to process her uncle’s betrayal. She had wanted so badly for Stephanos to be wrong, for it all to be a misunderstanding borne from rivalry, but this was much more than familial discord. This was the result of careful organization and forethought. She felt the beginning of a tear prick the corner of her eye and she fought it with the stubborn refusal to cry in front of a room of powerful men.
The voice of the Chief Advisor snapped her back to reality and Gianna listened intently as he delivered Stephanos and Olympia’s sentence of confinement. Upon the call for a vote, her heart sank a little more with each hand that raised. Looking around the room, it was not difficult to predict the outcome of the pending investigation. She could not recall ever feeling so trapped before in her life as she searched the Senators for a friendly face. Her gaze finally fell upon Achilleas whose arms were folded across his chest in determined defiance of his own father. Gianna caught her cousin’s eye and inclined her head ever so slightly to indicate her thanks.
At last she had found an ally.
"He always is, in his own little way. You look stunning, Gianna."
Xene’s words, accompanied by the gentle squeeze of her hand, were like honey-wine and imbued Gianna with the warmth that could only be the comfort one experiences in the presence of a loved one. She offered her sister an appreciative smile that did not quite reach her eyes before they stepped into the arcus. With Xene by her side, Gianna found it much easier to maintain her composure, though she had to wonder how long she could continue being so unconcerned by the proceedings of the Senate meet.
In all honesty, a Senate meet was the last place the youngest princess ever wanted to be, but after the events of the past several weeks and with the queen mother electing to stay at the palati with Olympia… Gianna had felt the need to show her support of the Crown now more than ever, if only to her brother. The princesses took their place as the rest of the Senators settled in. While they were close to Stephanos, Gianna still felt as though they were worlds apart. She fought the urge to reach out, to put a silent and reassuring hand on his shoulder, instead choosing to subdue her profound sense of dread as the meet began.
Most of the issues discussed were the very reasons Gianna avoided the Senate at all costs—a faked ailment here or a “twisted ankle” there usually did the trick. As far as she was concerned, she had better things to do than listen to barons complain about insufficient funds and taxation and suggest amendments to the law, nothing that would ever directly affect the youngest princess and affairs in which the King generally did not interfere. As she almost fell victim to the lull of the monotonous pontification, Irakles lay claim to the floor.
Gianna’s blood ran cold and she was vaguely aware of her sister’s grip tightening on her arm. Her breathing turned shallow and she could barely make out her uncle’s words over the rushing she was certain only she could hear. This was exactly what Stephanos had feared, but in a much more public forum than Gianna had anticipated. She suddenly felt so small and helpless, reduced to a child as she was forced to witness the tongue lashing her brother received before Irakles revealed his final play.
With the accusation of regicide added to the King’s never-ending list of faults, it felt as though all the air had been sucked from the arcus. Why would Stephanos murder their father and brother? It was no secret he had no interest in the crown and with his reckless siring of numerous bastards, he made it rather obvious he never planned to govern. Gianna’s eyes focused on Stephanos who had burst from his chair, the infamous Mikaelidas temper flaring, and she felt her knees begin to buckle as she clung to her sister, her only safety in the moment.
Gianna sucked in a breath, trying in vain to regain her composure as Irakles presented his witnesses. Their testimonies were a blur as she tried to process her uncle’s betrayal. She had wanted so badly for Stephanos to be wrong, for it all to be a misunderstanding borne from rivalry, but this was much more than familial discord. This was the result of careful organization and forethought. She felt the beginning of a tear prick the corner of her eye and she fought it with the stubborn refusal to cry in front of a room of powerful men.
The voice of the Chief Advisor snapped her back to reality and Gianna listened intently as he delivered Stephanos and Olympia’s sentence of confinement. Upon the call for a vote, her heart sank a little more with each hand that raised. Looking around the room, it was not difficult to predict the outcome of the pending investigation. She could not recall ever feeling so trapped before in her life as she searched the Senators for a friendly face. Her gaze finally fell upon Achilleas whose arms were folded across his chest in determined defiance of his own father. Gianna caught her cousin’s eye and inclined her head ever so slightly to indicate her thanks.
