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There was a reason Vangelis of Kotas was not amazingly adapt at letter-writing (as he had recently been reminded through his at-distance conversations with Selene of Leventi). He was out of practice. No crown prince of Greece was required to make notice, inform those around them of their movements or speak with regards to thanks or queries. Scribes and administration workers were used for such tasks. When he was in Colchis handling his barony and the resupply of his troops, such letters were not a problem. He had scribes handle the basic tasks and was kept abreast of everything verbally whilst he worked on the larger projects and responsibilities. Once abroad, however, Vangelis did not settle well with having slight, little men with ink smudges on their hands following him around. He had done so - as was proper to his rank - when he had been younger. But after two of them had gotten killed out in battles that they were not supposed to be in, Vangelis no longer travelled with anyone besides his immediate bodyguards. Soldiers. Durable and strong. In this manner, most of his messages were delivered verbally when he said one of his guards with important correspondence. At least then he knew his words would not be doctored or misread, for he had faith in his men to recite his words to their exact detail.
What this led to, on occasion, however, were situations in which a bodyguard would be unsuitable and a letter unthought of and therefore Vangelis simply ended up at a destination without pre-warning or insight to those upon whom he was calling.
Today was just such a day.
Arriving on horseback and garbed in his usual casual attire, Vangelis of Kotas was relying solely on his rank of crown prince of an allied kingdom to be allowed access to the Mikaelidas Palati grounds as he arrived to speak with Stephanos.
He had left Nike in charge of the women again, in order to ensure they were safe with his continued absence (first the night previous at the Leventi manor and today with the Palati) and, instead, taken several of her underlings with him as personal protection. While he was dressed casually, his men were fashioned in full armour and wearing the Kotas family colours and sigil, displaying for all to see the importance of the man they followed.
Hoping down from the back of the large bay he had given use of by his Leventi hosts, Vangelis and his guard were permitted onto the premises only with the additional retinue of his majesty's protection. Vangelis and two of his men were allowed inside while a half dozen Taengean soldiers flanked them on either side.
It was unsurprising that security had tightened around the royal palace given the events two months ago so Vangelis made no comment of issue or complaint when he was taken inside a chamber that looked like a highly decorated armoury.
The fully armoured Captain before him, with the Mikaelidas lion emblazed across his chest instructed the crown prince - with respect and an awkwardly apologetic bow - to relinquish is weapons before proceeding further into the palace.
All three of the Colchian men did so.
Was the Captain formed a short list of the items they had handed over, Vangelis was then directed to the furthest door down the corridor by a liveried servant that seemed nervous to get within six foot of him. Each time he stepped the man seemed to look behind him nervously in case the prince got too close.
This only served to amuse, Vangelis.
If I was going to creep up on your boy... you wouldn't notice.
Focusing his thoughts, Vangelis simply followed without expression or reaction to the young man's skittish behaviour and found himself able to look around the Palati a little more than he had been able to upon his last visit.
Made of white marble, the bluey grey veins of the rock light in the glossy white, the hallways were broken up by bracketed torches and lined with decorative pieces.
After they had climbed a set of wide stairs, the pummels of the balustrades rising as lion heads, and turned several corners, they entered into a corridor that Vangelis knew would lead to the consultation war room of the King. At each space between brackets hung a shield of Taengea, gradually ageing as they went, so that the most recent piece - a large and rectangular shield with a golden lion over crimson background - was slowly edited and replaced as history was reversed. First the shape altered, then the colour - replacing gold and red with simple iron... then the shield gradually shifted to embossed and strengthened wood. By this point the Mikaelidas lion had been replaced with the prancing stag of Dimitrou, and the colours were back - painted onto the wooden surface.
Several generations back and the decor changed to include sigils and designs that he, as a foreigner, did not recognise.
It was at this point that they came to the end of the hall and the double doors before him were opened only enough to permit the serving boy who had led them to slide through as thin and silent as water before a murmur could be heard from the other side of the wooden door.
It appeared Vangelis was being announced.
When the young man came back through and nodded to the armoured men on either side of the doors, both were pulled immediately wide and Vangelis strode on into the room in question, looking about in curiosity at the space in which the new king of Taengea would forever decide the fate of his kingdom...
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Check out their information page here.
This character is currently a work in progress.
Check out their information page here.
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There was a reason Vangelis of Kotas was not amazingly adapt at letter-writing (as he had recently been reminded through his at-distance conversations with Selene of Leventi). He was out of practice. No crown prince of Greece was required to make notice, inform those around them of their movements or speak with regards to thanks or queries. Scribes and administration workers were used for such tasks. When he was in Colchis handling his barony and the resupply of his troops, such letters were not a problem. He had scribes handle the basic tasks and was kept abreast of everything verbally whilst he worked on the larger projects and responsibilities. Once abroad, however, Vangelis did not settle well with having slight, little men with ink smudges on their hands following him around. He had done so - as was proper to his rank - when he had been younger. But after two of them had gotten killed out in battles that they were not supposed to be in, Vangelis no longer travelled with anyone besides his immediate bodyguards. Soldiers. Durable and strong. In this manner, most of his messages were delivered verbally when he said one of his guards with important correspondence. At least then he knew his words would not be doctored or misread, for he had faith in his men to recite his words to their exact detail.
What this led to, on occasion, however, were situations in which a bodyguard would be unsuitable and a letter unthought of and therefore Vangelis simply ended up at a destination without pre-warning or insight to those upon whom he was calling.
Today was just such a day.
Arriving on horseback and garbed in his usual casual attire, Vangelis of Kotas was relying solely on his rank of crown prince of an allied kingdom to be allowed access to the Mikaelidas Palati grounds as he arrived to speak with Stephanos.
He had left Nike in charge of the women again, in order to ensure they were safe with his continued absence (first the night previous at the Leventi manor and today with the Palati) and, instead, taken several of her underlings with him as personal protection. While he was dressed casually, his men were fashioned in full armour and wearing the Kotas family colours and sigil, displaying for all to see the importance of the man they followed.
Hoping down from the back of the large bay he had given use of by his Leventi hosts, Vangelis and his guard were permitted onto the premises only with the additional retinue of his majesty's protection. Vangelis and two of his men were allowed inside while a half dozen Taengean soldiers flanked them on either side.
It was unsurprising that security had tightened around the royal palace given the events two months ago so Vangelis made no comment of issue or complaint when he was taken inside a chamber that looked like a highly decorated armoury.
The fully armoured Captain before him, with the Mikaelidas lion emblazed across his chest instructed the crown prince - with respect and an awkwardly apologetic bow - to relinquish is weapons before proceeding further into the palace.
All three of the Colchian men did so.
Was the Captain formed a short list of the items they had handed over, Vangelis was then directed to the furthest door down the corridor by a liveried servant that seemed nervous to get within six foot of him. Each time he stepped the man seemed to look behind him nervously in case the prince got too close.
This only served to amuse, Vangelis.
If I was going to creep up on your boy... you wouldn't notice.
Focusing his thoughts, Vangelis simply followed without expression or reaction to the young man's skittish behaviour and found himself able to look around the Palati a little more than he had been able to upon his last visit.
Made of white marble, the bluey grey veins of the rock light in the glossy white, the hallways were broken up by bracketed torches and lined with decorative pieces.
After they had climbed a set of wide stairs, the pummels of the balustrades rising as lion heads, and turned several corners, they entered into a corridor that Vangelis knew would lead to the consultation war room of the King. At each space between brackets hung a shield of Taengea, gradually ageing as they went, so that the most recent piece - a large and rectangular shield with a golden lion over crimson background - was slowly edited and replaced as history was reversed. First the shape altered, then the colour - replacing gold and red with simple iron... then the shield gradually shifted to embossed and strengthened wood. By this point the Mikaelidas lion had been replaced with the prancing stag of Dimitrou, and the colours were back - painted onto the wooden surface.
Several generations back and the decor changed to include sigils and designs that he, as a foreigner, did not recognise.
It was at this point that they came to the end of the hall and the double doors before him were opened only enough to permit the serving boy who had led them to slide through as thin and silent as water before a murmur could be heard from the other side of the wooden door.
It appeared Vangelis was being announced.
When the young man came back through and nodded to the armoured men on either side of the doors, both were pulled immediately wide and Vangelis strode on into the room in question, looking about in curiosity at the space in which the new king of Taengea would forever decide the fate of his kingdom...
There was a reason Vangelis of Kotas was not amazingly adapt at letter-writing (as he had recently been reminded through his at-distance conversations with Selene of Leventi). He was out of practice. No crown prince of Greece was required to make notice, inform those around them of their movements or speak with regards to thanks or queries. Scribes and administration workers were used for such tasks. When he was in Colchis handling his barony and the resupply of his troops, such letters were not a problem. He had scribes handle the basic tasks and was kept abreast of everything verbally whilst he worked on the larger projects and responsibilities. Once abroad, however, Vangelis did not settle well with having slight, little men with ink smudges on their hands following him around. He had done so - as was proper to his rank - when he had been younger. But after two of them had gotten killed out in battles that they were not supposed to be in, Vangelis no longer travelled with anyone besides his immediate bodyguards. Soldiers. Durable and strong. In this manner, most of his messages were delivered verbally when he said one of his guards with important correspondence. At least then he knew his words would not be doctored or misread, for he had faith in his men to recite his words to their exact detail.
What this led to, on occasion, however, were situations in which a bodyguard would be unsuitable and a letter unthought of and therefore Vangelis simply ended up at a destination without pre-warning or insight to those upon whom he was calling.
Today was just such a day.
Arriving on horseback and garbed in his usual casual attire, Vangelis of Kotas was relying solely on his rank of crown prince of an allied kingdom to be allowed access to the Mikaelidas Palati grounds as he arrived to speak with Stephanos.
He had left Nike in charge of the women again, in order to ensure they were safe with his continued absence (first the night previous at the Leventi manor and today with the Palati) and, instead, taken several of her underlings with him as personal protection. While he was dressed casually, his men were fashioned in full armour and wearing the Kotas family colours and sigil, displaying for all to see the importance of the man they followed.
Hoping down from the back of the large bay he had given use of by his Leventi hosts, Vangelis and his guard were permitted onto the premises only with the additional retinue of his majesty's protection. Vangelis and two of his men were allowed inside while a half dozen Taengean soldiers flanked them on either side.
It was unsurprising that security had tightened around the royal palace given the events two months ago so Vangelis made no comment of issue or complaint when he was taken inside a chamber that looked like a highly decorated armoury.
The fully armoured Captain before him, with the Mikaelidas lion emblazed across his chest instructed the crown prince - with respect and an awkwardly apologetic bow - to relinquish is weapons before proceeding further into the palace.
All three of the Colchian men did so.
Was the Captain formed a short list of the items they had handed over, Vangelis was then directed to the furthest door down the corridor by a liveried servant that seemed nervous to get within six foot of him. Each time he stepped the man seemed to look behind him nervously in case the prince got too close.
This only served to amuse, Vangelis.
If I was going to creep up on your boy... you wouldn't notice.
Focusing his thoughts, Vangelis simply followed without expression or reaction to the young man's skittish behaviour and found himself able to look around the Palati a little more than he had been able to upon his last visit.
Made of white marble, the bluey grey veins of the rock light in the glossy white, the hallways were broken up by bracketed torches and lined with decorative pieces.
After they had climbed a set of wide stairs, the pummels of the balustrades rising as lion heads, and turned several corners, they entered into a corridor that Vangelis knew would lead to the consultation war room of the King. At each space between brackets hung a shield of Taengea, gradually ageing as they went, so that the most recent piece - a large and rectangular shield with a golden lion over crimson background - was slowly edited and replaced as history was reversed. First the shape altered, then the colour - replacing gold and red with simple iron... then the shield gradually shifted to embossed and strengthened wood. By this point the Mikaelidas lion had been replaced with the prancing stag of Dimitrou, and the colours were back - painted onto the wooden surface.
Several generations back and the decor changed to include sigils and designs that he, as a foreigner, did not recognise.
It was at this point that they came to the end of the hall and the double doors before him were opened only enough to permit the serving boy who had led them to slide through as thin and silent as water before a murmur could be heard from the other side of the wooden door.
It appeared Vangelis was being announced.
When the young man came back through and nodded to the armoured men on either side of the doors, both were pulled immediately wide and Vangelis strode on into the room in question, looking about in curiosity at the space in which the new king of Taengea would forever decide the fate of his kingdom...
For a moment the room was in complete silence. Stephanos kept his gaze fixed on the enormous map spread out on the table’s surface. Around him, his advisors shifted, looking at one another. Then the murmurs started. One man reached for one of the chariot figurines that dotted the map’s landscape.
“Your majesty,” the old man said indulgently. “It is an interesting plan, to be sure, but I do not know how we ware to execute such a thing.”
“You’ve never been in war, Silenias,” another advisor cut across before Stephanos had the chance.
“I have eyes enough!” Silenias stiffened and placed the chariot back down. “I say it won’t work. Your majesty. The plan is a whimsical one but I think men of more experience ought to have real input.”
His blood started to boil. Leaning with both fists on the table, he finally glanced up and locked eyes with the thin old man. “Poseikles has plenty of experience.” The advisor to his right, the one who’d been defending the plan from the beginning looked smugly on. “I’m not asking you for permission, Silenias. I’m telling you what’s going to happen and I expect you to find me this many chariots.”
“Your majesty,” Silenias pursed his lips and bowed his head but his eyes were on fire.
“But if we have this many chariots, then why do we need these extra cavalry?” Another advisor asked. The meeting spun into pandemonium when he refused to divulge the whole of his plan. His paranoia had reached a point where he did not trust certain members of his counsel not to run and tell Irakles what would happen and how. He did not trust his uncle not to sabotage this too.
“Order!” Poseikles shouted.
“Enough!” Stephanos roared at the same time. It took a few seconds but the cries of protest in the room became rumblings as everyone still tried to speak at once, though at a lower volume. In the midst of this, the double doors at the end of the room opened and a boy slipped silently through.
“I beg your majesty’s pardon but Prince Vangelis of Kotas is here to see you.” The boy bobbed up and down and then before he had time to do more than frown in confusion, the man himself entered the room, looking around.
“Vangelis,” he raised his eyebrows and glanced at his advisors. They bowed to the prince but did not immediately leave. “You do choose interesting times to show up.”
Stephanos waved his hand and the members of his counsel filed out of the room, leaving the two of them alone. “I don’t remember arranging for trade negotiations,” his voice wasn’t angry but it was questioning. That was the only reason he could conceive of that Vangelis was here. The negotiations that the man had come for a few months ago never actually took place. It would make sense that he’d come to finish it. But Stephanos didn’t have it in him to go to the smaller archive room and go through the scrolls to find how much of this and that they wanted from Colchis. In fact, he hadn’t picked that up at all...though they probably did need the weapons now.
This character is currently a work in progress.
Check out their information page here.
This character is currently a work in progress.
Check out their information page here.
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For a moment the room was in complete silence. Stephanos kept his gaze fixed on the enormous map spread out on the table’s surface. Around him, his advisors shifted, looking at one another. Then the murmurs started. One man reached for one of the chariot figurines that dotted the map’s landscape.
“Your majesty,” the old man said indulgently. “It is an interesting plan, to be sure, but I do not know how we ware to execute such a thing.”
“You’ve never been in war, Silenias,” another advisor cut across before Stephanos had the chance.
“I have eyes enough!” Silenias stiffened and placed the chariot back down. “I say it won’t work. Your majesty. The plan is a whimsical one but I think men of more experience ought to have real input.”
His blood started to boil. Leaning with both fists on the table, he finally glanced up and locked eyes with the thin old man. “Poseikles has plenty of experience.” The advisor to his right, the one who’d been defending the plan from the beginning looked smugly on. “I’m not asking you for permission, Silenias. I’m telling you what’s going to happen and I expect you to find me this many chariots.”
“Your majesty,” Silenias pursed his lips and bowed his head but his eyes were on fire.
“But if we have this many chariots, then why do we need these extra cavalry?” Another advisor asked. The meeting spun into pandemonium when he refused to divulge the whole of his plan. His paranoia had reached a point where he did not trust certain members of his counsel not to run and tell Irakles what would happen and how. He did not trust his uncle not to sabotage this too.
“Order!” Poseikles shouted.
“Enough!” Stephanos roared at the same time. It took a few seconds but the cries of protest in the room became rumblings as everyone still tried to speak at once, though at a lower volume. In the midst of this, the double doors at the end of the room opened and a boy slipped silently through.
“I beg your majesty’s pardon but Prince Vangelis of Kotas is here to see you.” The boy bobbed up and down and then before he had time to do more than frown in confusion, the man himself entered the room, looking around.
“Vangelis,” he raised his eyebrows and glanced at his advisors. They bowed to the prince but did not immediately leave. “You do choose interesting times to show up.”
Stephanos waved his hand and the members of his counsel filed out of the room, leaving the two of them alone. “I don’t remember arranging for trade negotiations,” his voice wasn’t angry but it was questioning. That was the only reason he could conceive of that Vangelis was here. The negotiations that the man had come for a few months ago never actually took place. It would make sense that he’d come to finish it. But Stephanos didn’t have it in him to go to the smaller archive room and go through the scrolls to find how much of this and that they wanted from Colchis. In fact, he hadn’t picked that up at all...though they probably did need the weapons now.
For a moment the room was in complete silence. Stephanos kept his gaze fixed on the enormous map spread out on the table’s surface. Around him, his advisors shifted, looking at one another. Then the murmurs started. One man reached for one of the chariot figurines that dotted the map’s landscape.
“Your majesty,” the old man said indulgently. “It is an interesting plan, to be sure, but I do not know how we ware to execute such a thing.”
“You’ve never been in war, Silenias,” another advisor cut across before Stephanos had the chance.
“I have eyes enough!” Silenias stiffened and placed the chariot back down. “I say it won’t work. Your majesty. The plan is a whimsical one but I think men of more experience ought to have real input.”
His blood started to boil. Leaning with both fists on the table, he finally glanced up and locked eyes with the thin old man. “Poseikles has plenty of experience.” The advisor to his right, the one who’d been defending the plan from the beginning looked smugly on. “I’m not asking you for permission, Silenias. I’m telling you what’s going to happen and I expect you to find me this many chariots.”
“Your majesty,” Silenias pursed his lips and bowed his head but his eyes were on fire.
“But if we have this many chariots, then why do we need these extra cavalry?” Another advisor asked. The meeting spun into pandemonium when he refused to divulge the whole of his plan. His paranoia had reached a point where he did not trust certain members of his counsel not to run and tell Irakles what would happen and how. He did not trust his uncle not to sabotage this too.
“Order!” Poseikles shouted.
“Enough!” Stephanos roared at the same time. It took a few seconds but the cries of protest in the room became rumblings as everyone still tried to speak at once, though at a lower volume. In the midst of this, the double doors at the end of the room opened and a boy slipped silently through.
“I beg your majesty’s pardon but Prince Vangelis of Kotas is here to see you.” The boy bobbed up and down and then before he had time to do more than frown in confusion, the man himself entered the room, looking around.
“Vangelis,” he raised his eyebrows and glanced at his advisors. They bowed to the prince but did not immediately leave. “You do choose interesting times to show up.”
Stephanos waved his hand and the members of his counsel filed out of the room, leaving the two of them alone. “I don’t remember arranging for trade negotiations,” his voice wasn’t angry but it was questioning. That was the only reason he could conceive of that Vangelis was here. The negotiations that the man had come for a few months ago never actually took place. It would make sense that he’d come to finish it. But Stephanos didn’t have it in him to go to the smaller archive room and go through the scrolls to find how much of this and that they wanted from Colchis. In fact, he hadn’t picked that up at all...though they probably did need the weapons now.
While Vangelis was not a talkative, chatty or socialising individual by nature, he was not an idiot. He might not be able to sail the seas of political society with the same alacrity as certain others but he could clearly recognise when that sea was calm and when it was stormy.
And the waters were choppy to say the least in the cabinet war room of his majesty King Stephanos.
Vangelis said and did nothing as Stephanos semi-welcomed him with a simple statement of his poor timing and then again remained stoic as the advisors all filed from the room. He knew the set in their faces and the awkward tension in the room well enough to know that a disagreement had just been had. And considering the choice of location, it could only be regarding a military strategy or plan of some kind. Orchestrating battles and skirmishes were natural cesspools for antagonism and heated debate. Whenever lives were on the line - even theoretically - the pressure was felt by all those involved and emotions often ran high.
Unless you knew how to cut them off...
"Apologies." Vangelis simply answered in regards to Stephanos' comment concerning his timing. For it was clear he had interrupted something. Whether that interruption was a welcome respite or an irritating inconvenience, he had yet to ascertain.
Not wishing to appear languid or at ease in the king's personal space, Vangelis dropped his inspection of the room - a high ceilinged, large chamber with no windows to ensure no escaped whispers of plans to loitering ears outside, the entire space was lit by torches and candle chandeliers. A desk the size of a civilian's living quarters stood in the middle of the open floor, maps of all kinds forming a second skin over the wood. One particular map was stretched out in its centre, overlapping its brethren beneath, and small glass figures were placed to indicate different militia forces in certain geographical locations.
A military strategy meeting, indeed.
When the king commented on trade negotiations, Vangelis stood calmly around the corner of the central table, his gaze glancing briefly over the pieces in play, but determined to keep his attentions on the man and not the map.
"Only because we did not arrange any." Vangelis commented bluntly to Stephanos' subtle comment of forgetting a prearrangement that both knew had never existed.
"I'm here in Taengea upon familial business for my sister." He told Stephanos without further detail. "I thought it right that I present myself before the King."
Moving to rest his hand on the pommel of his weapon, only to realise he had relinquished it at the armoury, Vangelis, instead, moved to fold his arms as he shifted his weight to the hip he leaned into the edge of the table.
He twisted his lips in consideration as he glanced over the documentation and glass indicators spread out between the two of them.
"You seem to always be at war whilst I'm present in your kingdom, of late." He commented lightly.
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This character is currently a work in progress.
Check out their information page here.
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While Vangelis was not a talkative, chatty or socialising individual by nature, he was not an idiot. He might not be able to sail the seas of political society with the same alacrity as certain others but he could clearly recognise when that sea was calm and when it was stormy.
And the waters were choppy to say the least in the cabinet war room of his majesty King Stephanos.
Vangelis said and did nothing as Stephanos semi-welcomed him with a simple statement of his poor timing and then again remained stoic as the advisors all filed from the room. He knew the set in their faces and the awkward tension in the room well enough to know that a disagreement had just been had. And considering the choice of location, it could only be regarding a military strategy or plan of some kind. Orchestrating battles and skirmishes were natural cesspools for antagonism and heated debate. Whenever lives were on the line - even theoretically - the pressure was felt by all those involved and emotions often ran high.
Unless you knew how to cut them off...
"Apologies." Vangelis simply answered in regards to Stephanos' comment concerning his timing. For it was clear he had interrupted something. Whether that interruption was a welcome respite or an irritating inconvenience, he had yet to ascertain.
Not wishing to appear languid or at ease in the king's personal space, Vangelis dropped his inspection of the room - a high ceilinged, large chamber with no windows to ensure no escaped whispers of plans to loitering ears outside, the entire space was lit by torches and candle chandeliers. A desk the size of a civilian's living quarters stood in the middle of the open floor, maps of all kinds forming a second skin over the wood. One particular map was stretched out in its centre, overlapping its brethren beneath, and small glass figures were placed to indicate different militia forces in certain geographical locations.
A military strategy meeting, indeed.
When the king commented on trade negotiations, Vangelis stood calmly around the corner of the central table, his gaze glancing briefly over the pieces in play, but determined to keep his attentions on the man and not the map.
"Only because we did not arrange any." Vangelis commented bluntly to Stephanos' subtle comment of forgetting a prearrangement that both knew had never existed.
"I'm here in Taengea upon familial business for my sister." He told Stephanos without further detail. "I thought it right that I present myself before the King."
Moving to rest his hand on the pommel of his weapon, only to realise he had relinquished it at the armoury, Vangelis, instead, moved to fold his arms as he shifted his weight to the hip he leaned into the edge of the table.
He twisted his lips in consideration as he glanced over the documentation and glass indicators spread out between the two of them.
"You seem to always be at war whilst I'm present in your kingdom, of late." He commented lightly.
While Vangelis was not a talkative, chatty or socialising individual by nature, he was not an idiot. He might not be able to sail the seas of political society with the same alacrity as certain others but he could clearly recognise when that sea was calm and when it was stormy.
And the waters were choppy to say the least in the cabinet war room of his majesty King Stephanos.
Vangelis said and did nothing as Stephanos semi-welcomed him with a simple statement of his poor timing and then again remained stoic as the advisors all filed from the room. He knew the set in their faces and the awkward tension in the room well enough to know that a disagreement had just been had. And considering the choice of location, it could only be regarding a military strategy or plan of some kind. Orchestrating battles and skirmishes were natural cesspools for antagonism and heated debate. Whenever lives were on the line - even theoretically - the pressure was felt by all those involved and emotions often ran high.
Unless you knew how to cut them off...
"Apologies." Vangelis simply answered in regards to Stephanos' comment concerning his timing. For it was clear he had interrupted something. Whether that interruption was a welcome respite or an irritating inconvenience, he had yet to ascertain.
Not wishing to appear languid or at ease in the king's personal space, Vangelis dropped his inspection of the room - a high ceilinged, large chamber with no windows to ensure no escaped whispers of plans to loitering ears outside, the entire space was lit by torches and candle chandeliers. A desk the size of a civilian's living quarters stood in the middle of the open floor, maps of all kinds forming a second skin over the wood. One particular map was stretched out in its centre, overlapping its brethren beneath, and small glass figures were placed to indicate different militia forces in certain geographical locations.
A military strategy meeting, indeed.
When the king commented on trade negotiations, Vangelis stood calmly around the corner of the central table, his gaze glancing briefly over the pieces in play, but determined to keep his attentions on the man and not the map.
"Only because we did not arrange any." Vangelis commented bluntly to Stephanos' subtle comment of forgetting a prearrangement that both knew had never existed.
"I'm here in Taengea upon familial business for my sister." He told Stephanos without further detail. "I thought it right that I present myself before the King."
Moving to rest his hand on the pommel of his weapon, only to realise he had relinquished it at the armoury, Vangelis, instead, moved to fold his arms as he shifted his weight to the hip he leaned into the edge of the table.
He twisted his lips in consideration as he glanced over the documentation and glass indicators spread out between the two of them.
"You seem to always be at war whilst I'm present in your kingdom, of late." He commented lightly.
“A highly suspicious coincidence,” Stephanos smirked fleetingly before dropping the expression entirely and looking back at the map. Though he would have liked to portray to Vangelis that everything was calm and under control, doing so would only prove him a fool. Especially since he already had sent out orders for the chariots to be ready within a few days. Vangelis had to know that the Creed were still here and still causing a problem.
He’d nodded absently as Vangelis outlined the ‘why’ of the visit. But he wasn't listening. His mind was still on the audacity of his advisors and their constant negative input. It was like they didn’t remember that he’d led men into battle before; that he’d been successful doing it. That he was still alive to do so again.
Gesturing to the door, through which he could see the last of the advisors trailing down at the far end of the corridor, he said, “Snakes. The lot of them.” Now he turned to the table and leaned both hands on it as he stared down at the map. The little figurines that were dotted about were providing fresh irritation.
“Look at this,” he said. “Sophokles thinks this is the safer option but I can’t get him to see that moving the chariots in this configuration leaves too many holes.” Stephanos pinched the bridge of his nose. “The man’s never been in battle and somehow he’s got half my council convinced. Tell me that advisors are as idiotic in Colchis.”
Of course it wouldn’t help him at the moment if the whole of Colchis’s council was filled with morons. But it would make him feel a little better about his own. What he really wanted to know was if it was just him specifically that had this trouble, or if there was political strife everywhere.
“I suppose I could just execute them and start over…” he mused. He was joking. ...mostly.
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“A highly suspicious coincidence,” Stephanos smirked fleetingly before dropping the expression entirely and looking back at the map. Though he would have liked to portray to Vangelis that everything was calm and under control, doing so would only prove him a fool. Especially since he already had sent out orders for the chariots to be ready within a few days. Vangelis had to know that the Creed were still here and still causing a problem.
He’d nodded absently as Vangelis outlined the ‘why’ of the visit. But he wasn't listening. His mind was still on the audacity of his advisors and their constant negative input. It was like they didn’t remember that he’d led men into battle before; that he’d been successful doing it. That he was still alive to do so again.
Gesturing to the door, through which he could see the last of the advisors trailing down at the far end of the corridor, he said, “Snakes. The lot of them.” Now he turned to the table and leaned both hands on it as he stared down at the map. The little figurines that were dotted about were providing fresh irritation.
“Look at this,” he said. “Sophokles thinks this is the safer option but I can’t get him to see that moving the chariots in this configuration leaves too many holes.” Stephanos pinched the bridge of his nose. “The man’s never been in battle and somehow he’s got half my council convinced. Tell me that advisors are as idiotic in Colchis.”
Of course it wouldn’t help him at the moment if the whole of Colchis’s council was filled with morons. But it would make him feel a little better about his own. What he really wanted to know was if it was just him specifically that had this trouble, or if there was political strife everywhere.
“I suppose I could just execute them and start over…” he mused. He was joking. ...mostly.
“A highly suspicious coincidence,” Stephanos smirked fleetingly before dropping the expression entirely and looking back at the map. Though he would have liked to portray to Vangelis that everything was calm and under control, doing so would only prove him a fool. Especially since he already had sent out orders for the chariots to be ready within a few days. Vangelis had to know that the Creed were still here and still causing a problem.
He’d nodded absently as Vangelis outlined the ‘why’ of the visit. But he wasn't listening. His mind was still on the audacity of his advisors and their constant negative input. It was like they didn’t remember that he’d led men into battle before; that he’d been successful doing it. That he was still alive to do so again.
Gesturing to the door, through which he could see the last of the advisors trailing down at the far end of the corridor, he said, “Snakes. The lot of them.” Now he turned to the table and leaned both hands on it as he stared down at the map. The little figurines that were dotted about were providing fresh irritation.
“Look at this,” he said. “Sophokles thinks this is the safer option but I can’t get him to see that moving the chariots in this configuration leaves too many holes.” Stephanos pinched the bridge of his nose. “The man’s never been in battle and somehow he’s got half my council convinced. Tell me that advisors are as idiotic in Colchis.”
Of course it wouldn’t help him at the moment if the whole of Colchis’s council was filled with morons. But it would make him feel a little better about his own. What he really wanted to know was if it was just him specifically that had this trouble, or if there was political strife everywhere.
“I suppose I could just execute them and start over…” he mused. He was joking. ...mostly.
Vangelis was in no way uncomfortable with silence and in the few moments of it that Stephanos seemed to be gathering his thoughts, Vangelis was neither awkward nor impatient. Instead, he was simply pleased when Stephanos went into conversation without the need for pithy propriety or awkward small talk, calling his advisors snakes.
When the man told Vangelis to look over the board- a map of the surrounding territory with pieces marking Taengean troops, he did as he was asked and assessed it with a sharp eye.
It was a good plan and a solid strategy... For a large-scale war effort. Vangelis might have put it into practice had he been facing an army of infantry or cavalry... But this was, he could only assume, against the Creed - a small band of independent fighters who wouldn't move and behave as a unit. Which meant that Stephanos was absolutely right. There were far too many holes in the defensive line that - while negligible when soldiers didn't fight under their own intuition and did not press small, noticed advantages but waiting for orders - it would be disastrous against a band of cultists who did nothing but press their advantage.
Vangelis pursed his lips and they shifted to one side as he considered the table and folded his arms when Stephanos commented on Colchian advisors.
"Actually, I never tend to speak with my advisors much." He told the man, though he knew this would be unhelpful. "War is never on our doorstep, for we have none. It's across seas and where it is, so am I. My council have to deal with my choices."
He glanced up at Stephanos, noting that the man had darker smudges beneath his eyes and a more harried look about him than had ever been present in Vangelis company before. He remembered the cheery, devil-may-care second prince from the Leventi dinner party only a few months ago. The man had changed entirely.
It was an odd situation. Whilst Stephanos operated a higher rank in political control than Vangelis - King to his Crown Prince. Vangelis had always known he would be ruling someday. He had been behaving as a King for many years - expected to make decisions in his father's absence for over a decade...
Stephanos had had no such training.
But given his eye of the plan laid before them and his insistence that it was a fool-hardy mission and Vangelis' confirmation of it, it was clear Stephanos held no such inexperience with events of war.
"Ignore them." Vangelis stated bluntly into the room, his words a little echoing.
"You're right this plan holds no many chances of exploitation. So, what is your plan?" Vangelis asked the man, simply standing there with his weight one hip, his posture languid for an answer. "You are king." He stated bluntly. "You're the one who has to sleep at night in the knowledge that you've made the choice you believe to be right. So, what is your plan? Show me..." Vangelis indicated the table with a sweep of his hand that brushed all of the little pieces out of position and towards the monarch of Taengea. He raised his eyebrows and nodded in encouragement when the man picked up the first piece.
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Vangelis was in no way uncomfortable with silence and in the few moments of it that Stephanos seemed to be gathering his thoughts, Vangelis was neither awkward nor impatient. Instead, he was simply pleased when Stephanos went into conversation without the need for pithy propriety or awkward small talk, calling his advisors snakes.
When the man told Vangelis to look over the board- a map of the surrounding territory with pieces marking Taengean troops, he did as he was asked and assessed it with a sharp eye.
It was a good plan and a solid strategy... For a large-scale war effort. Vangelis might have put it into practice had he been facing an army of infantry or cavalry... But this was, he could only assume, against the Creed - a small band of independent fighters who wouldn't move and behave as a unit. Which meant that Stephanos was absolutely right. There were far too many holes in the defensive line that - while negligible when soldiers didn't fight under their own intuition and did not press small, noticed advantages but waiting for orders - it would be disastrous against a band of cultists who did nothing but press their advantage.
Vangelis pursed his lips and they shifted to one side as he considered the table and folded his arms when Stephanos commented on Colchian advisors.
"Actually, I never tend to speak with my advisors much." He told the man, though he knew this would be unhelpful. "War is never on our doorstep, for we have none. It's across seas and where it is, so am I. My council have to deal with my choices."
He glanced up at Stephanos, noting that the man had darker smudges beneath his eyes and a more harried look about him than had ever been present in Vangelis company before. He remembered the cheery, devil-may-care second prince from the Leventi dinner party only a few months ago. The man had changed entirely.
It was an odd situation. Whilst Stephanos operated a higher rank in political control than Vangelis - King to his Crown Prince. Vangelis had always known he would be ruling someday. He had been behaving as a King for many years - expected to make decisions in his father's absence for over a decade...
Stephanos had had no such training.
But given his eye of the plan laid before them and his insistence that it was a fool-hardy mission and Vangelis' confirmation of it, it was clear Stephanos held no such inexperience with events of war.
"Ignore them." Vangelis stated bluntly into the room, his words a little echoing.
"You're right this plan holds no many chances of exploitation. So, what is your plan?" Vangelis asked the man, simply standing there with his weight one hip, his posture languid for an answer. "You are king." He stated bluntly. "You're the one who has to sleep at night in the knowledge that you've made the choice you believe to be right. So, what is your plan? Show me..." Vangelis indicated the table with a sweep of his hand that brushed all of the little pieces out of position and towards the monarch of Taengea. He raised his eyebrows and nodded in encouragement when the man picked up the first piece.
Vangelis was in no way uncomfortable with silence and in the few moments of it that Stephanos seemed to be gathering his thoughts, Vangelis was neither awkward nor impatient. Instead, he was simply pleased when Stephanos went into conversation without the need for pithy propriety or awkward small talk, calling his advisors snakes.
When the man told Vangelis to look over the board- a map of the surrounding territory with pieces marking Taengean troops, he did as he was asked and assessed it with a sharp eye.
It was a good plan and a solid strategy... For a large-scale war effort. Vangelis might have put it into practice had he been facing an army of infantry or cavalry... But this was, he could only assume, against the Creed - a small band of independent fighters who wouldn't move and behave as a unit. Which meant that Stephanos was absolutely right. There were far too many holes in the defensive line that - while negligible when soldiers didn't fight under their own intuition and did not press small, noticed advantages but waiting for orders - it would be disastrous against a band of cultists who did nothing but press their advantage.
Vangelis pursed his lips and they shifted to one side as he considered the table and folded his arms when Stephanos commented on Colchian advisors.
"Actually, I never tend to speak with my advisors much." He told the man, though he knew this would be unhelpful. "War is never on our doorstep, for we have none. It's across seas and where it is, so am I. My council have to deal with my choices."
He glanced up at Stephanos, noting that the man had darker smudges beneath his eyes and a more harried look about him than had ever been present in Vangelis company before. He remembered the cheery, devil-may-care second prince from the Leventi dinner party only a few months ago. The man had changed entirely.
It was an odd situation. Whilst Stephanos operated a higher rank in political control than Vangelis - King to his Crown Prince. Vangelis had always known he would be ruling someday. He had been behaving as a King for many years - expected to make decisions in his father's absence for over a decade...
Stephanos had had no such training.
But given his eye of the plan laid before them and his insistence that it was a fool-hardy mission and Vangelis' confirmation of it, it was clear Stephanos held no such inexperience with events of war.
"Ignore them." Vangelis stated bluntly into the room, his words a little echoing.
"You're right this plan holds no many chances of exploitation. So, what is your plan?" Vangelis asked the man, simply standing there with his weight one hip, his posture languid for an answer. "You are king." He stated bluntly. "You're the one who has to sleep at night in the knowledge that you've made the choice you believe to be right. So, what is your plan? Show me..." Vangelis indicated the table with a sweep of his hand that brushed all of the little pieces out of position and towards the monarch of Taengea. He raised his eyebrows and nodded in encouragement when the man picked up the first piece.
He watched Vangelis's normally stoic face go through (what felt to him, at least) and incredible amount of change as first the man actually pursed his lips, and then moved them to one side of his face...to make...an expression. Stephanos would have laughed and poked at him...but he didn't feel like it. Not today. Today he was just tired of running over shifting sands.
Instead of jibing at the Colchian prince, he gave him a flat stare at the exceedingly unhelpful advice. "Right," he said. Being around Vangelis was almost like being around Zacharias again. It was the way his brother didn't really...joke. Or make any sort of jest at all. The two crown princes had been very alike in that respect.
"War is all around me," Stephanos said briskly and raised up from the table. "I don't have the luxury of telling them to 'deal with it'." He made little air quotes at Vangelis but Stephanos was nearly incapable of being in a horrible mood for long. His more natural tendency was to be at ease with both his surroundings and the people in them; this was partially why he'd been having trouble sleeping. This internal war against Irakles and the people his uncle was recruiting wore on him intensely. He didn't like having to look over his shoulder every second of the day and night.
Once Vangelis asked his plan, however, Stephanos shook his head, glaring down at the map. It wasn't that he had a problem driving over his council's will. It was the fact that he needed it to look like he was indecisive for the secret to work. The problem with that was he really felt as though he was being worn down. But, perhaps Vangelis's presence was exactly what he'd needed.
His blue eyes slid to the open door. He moved around the table and glanced at the nearly empty hall outside before shutting the door and leaning against it long enough to pull the huge wooden latch down across the handles, ensuring they were not 'accidentally' disturbed. Not only was this room used to plan war, it could be used defensibly as well, should the need arise. Underneath the heavy table was a secret door that led through tunnels leading out to an out of the way cave on the beach. Just in case the need to flee ever arose. It had been used once or twice, long ago, but not in living memory.
Stephanos only knew about it because he and Zacharias had been playing in here and had needed to move the table for one of their games.
Coming back to the table, he watched Vangelis sweep aside the pieces. He picked one up and set it on top of the gorge, beginning to outline his plan, without explaining why he'd barred the door or why he was keeping his voice level and low.
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He watched Vangelis's normally stoic face go through (what felt to him, at least) and incredible amount of change as first the man actually pursed his lips, and then moved them to one side of his face...to make...an expression. Stephanos would have laughed and poked at him...but he didn't feel like it. Not today. Today he was just tired of running over shifting sands.
Instead of jibing at the Colchian prince, he gave him a flat stare at the exceedingly unhelpful advice. "Right," he said. Being around Vangelis was almost like being around Zacharias again. It was the way his brother didn't really...joke. Or make any sort of jest at all. The two crown princes had been very alike in that respect.
"War is all around me," Stephanos said briskly and raised up from the table. "I don't have the luxury of telling them to 'deal with it'." He made little air quotes at Vangelis but Stephanos was nearly incapable of being in a horrible mood for long. His more natural tendency was to be at ease with both his surroundings and the people in them; this was partially why he'd been having trouble sleeping. This internal war against Irakles and the people his uncle was recruiting wore on him intensely. He didn't like having to look over his shoulder every second of the day and night.
Once Vangelis asked his plan, however, Stephanos shook his head, glaring down at the map. It wasn't that he had a problem driving over his council's will. It was the fact that he needed it to look like he was indecisive for the secret to work. The problem with that was he really felt as though he was being worn down. But, perhaps Vangelis's presence was exactly what he'd needed.
His blue eyes slid to the open door. He moved around the table and glanced at the nearly empty hall outside before shutting the door and leaning against it long enough to pull the huge wooden latch down across the handles, ensuring they were not 'accidentally' disturbed. Not only was this room used to plan war, it could be used defensibly as well, should the need arise. Underneath the heavy table was a secret door that led through tunnels leading out to an out of the way cave on the beach. Just in case the need to flee ever arose. It had been used once or twice, long ago, but not in living memory.
Stephanos only knew about it because he and Zacharias had been playing in here and had needed to move the table for one of their games.
Coming back to the table, he watched Vangelis sweep aside the pieces. He picked one up and set it on top of the gorge, beginning to outline his plan, without explaining why he'd barred the door or why he was keeping his voice level and low.
He watched Vangelis's normally stoic face go through (what felt to him, at least) and incredible amount of change as first the man actually pursed his lips, and then moved them to one side of his face...to make...an expression. Stephanos would have laughed and poked at him...but he didn't feel like it. Not today. Today he was just tired of running over shifting sands.
Instead of jibing at the Colchian prince, he gave him a flat stare at the exceedingly unhelpful advice. "Right," he said. Being around Vangelis was almost like being around Zacharias again. It was the way his brother didn't really...joke. Or make any sort of jest at all. The two crown princes had been very alike in that respect.
"War is all around me," Stephanos said briskly and raised up from the table. "I don't have the luxury of telling them to 'deal with it'." He made little air quotes at Vangelis but Stephanos was nearly incapable of being in a horrible mood for long. His more natural tendency was to be at ease with both his surroundings and the people in them; this was partially why he'd been having trouble sleeping. This internal war against Irakles and the people his uncle was recruiting wore on him intensely. He didn't like having to look over his shoulder every second of the day and night.
Once Vangelis asked his plan, however, Stephanos shook his head, glaring down at the map. It wasn't that he had a problem driving over his council's will. It was the fact that he needed it to look like he was indecisive for the secret to work. The problem with that was he really felt as though he was being worn down. But, perhaps Vangelis's presence was exactly what he'd needed.
His blue eyes slid to the open door. He moved around the table and glanced at the nearly empty hall outside before shutting the door and leaning against it long enough to pull the huge wooden latch down across the handles, ensuring they were not 'accidentally' disturbed. Not only was this room used to plan war, it could be used defensibly as well, should the need arise. Underneath the heavy table was a secret door that led through tunnels leading out to an out of the way cave on the beach. Just in case the need to flee ever arose. It had been used once or twice, long ago, but not in living memory.
Stephanos only knew about it because he and Zacharias had been playing in here and had needed to move the table for one of their games.
Coming back to the table, he watched Vangelis sweep aside the pieces. He picked one up and set it on top of the gorge, beginning to outline his plan, without explaining why he'd barred the door or why he was keeping his voice level and low.
Vangelis watched as the new king of Taengea laid out his plans. They were entirely random and useless if he had been planning a large-scale assault on an army with unitary format and traditional methods of fighting. But Stephanos showed his intelligence in how the plan was catered to his enemy, not to proven effect from past militant experience. It was creative, interesting and worked on multiple fronts.
It was gutsy. And Vangelis could entirely see why Stephanos' council were full scale against it.
Vangelis gave no expression, gestures or nods as Stephanos described his plan. He simply watched in silence, seeing if the man had enough conviction to continue his demonstration without constant affirmation. Not that it mattered to him either way - Stephanos wasn't commanding his troops or his kingdom - but he had had little chance to see Stephanos the military commander vs. Stephanos the playboy prince, and his curiosity was piqued.
When Stephanos finally concluded his idea for the military campaign, Vangelis' bottom lip came out a little and his brows raised a tad - an expression that could clearly be surmised into the words "not bad". Holding only ignorance and no consideration for whether or not he came across as condescending, Vangelis simply continued glancing over the plan and eventually nodded.
"It's original." He told the man. "But it will work."
And that was the highest praise that Vangelis ever really gave in regards to military plans. In his head, there was nothing right or honourable about complimenting a plan designed to efficiently kill on mass. Designing a plan that would create in a successful victory? That he could ascertain.
After a moment, Vangelis frowned.
"You'll need someone you trust at each position." He commented, pointing at three independent positions on the map. "One, I'm assuming will be yourself." Stephanos didn't strike him as the kind of man to sit on the side-lines and watch his men carry out his plans, even if he was now monarch. "Do you have ideas on who's commanding the other two?" He nodded his head towards the closed door. "Given that you've stated your council to be full of snakes?"
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Vangelis watched as the new king of Taengea laid out his plans. They were entirely random and useless if he had been planning a large-scale assault on an army with unitary format and traditional methods of fighting. But Stephanos showed his intelligence in how the plan was catered to his enemy, not to proven effect from past militant experience. It was creative, interesting and worked on multiple fronts.
It was gutsy. And Vangelis could entirely see why Stephanos' council were full scale against it.
Vangelis gave no expression, gestures or nods as Stephanos described his plan. He simply watched in silence, seeing if the man had enough conviction to continue his demonstration without constant affirmation. Not that it mattered to him either way - Stephanos wasn't commanding his troops or his kingdom - but he had had little chance to see Stephanos the military commander vs. Stephanos the playboy prince, and his curiosity was piqued.
When Stephanos finally concluded his idea for the military campaign, Vangelis' bottom lip came out a little and his brows raised a tad - an expression that could clearly be surmised into the words "not bad". Holding only ignorance and no consideration for whether or not he came across as condescending, Vangelis simply continued glancing over the plan and eventually nodded.
"It's original." He told the man. "But it will work."
And that was the highest praise that Vangelis ever really gave in regards to military plans. In his head, there was nothing right or honourable about complimenting a plan designed to efficiently kill on mass. Designing a plan that would create in a successful victory? That he could ascertain.
After a moment, Vangelis frowned.
"You'll need someone you trust at each position." He commented, pointing at three independent positions on the map. "One, I'm assuming will be yourself." Stephanos didn't strike him as the kind of man to sit on the side-lines and watch his men carry out his plans, even if he was now monarch. "Do you have ideas on who's commanding the other two?" He nodded his head towards the closed door. "Given that you've stated your council to be full of snakes?"
Vangelis watched as the new king of Taengea laid out his plans. They were entirely random and useless if he had been planning a large-scale assault on an army with unitary format and traditional methods of fighting. But Stephanos showed his intelligence in how the plan was catered to his enemy, not to proven effect from past militant experience. It was creative, interesting and worked on multiple fronts.
It was gutsy. And Vangelis could entirely see why Stephanos' council were full scale against it.
Vangelis gave no expression, gestures or nods as Stephanos described his plan. He simply watched in silence, seeing if the man had enough conviction to continue his demonstration without constant affirmation. Not that it mattered to him either way - Stephanos wasn't commanding his troops or his kingdom - but he had had little chance to see Stephanos the military commander vs. Stephanos the playboy prince, and his curiosity was piqued.
When Stephanos finally concluded his idea for the military campaign, Vangelis' bottom lip came out a little and his brows raised a tad - an expression that could clearly be surmised into the words "not bad". Holding only ignorance and no consideration for whether or not he came across as condescending, Vangelis simply continued glancing over the plan and eventually nodded.
"It's original." He told the man. "But it will work."
And that was the highest praise that Vangelis ever really gave in regards to military plans. In his head, there was nothing right or honourable about complimenting a plan designed to efficiently kill on mass. Designing a plan that would create in a successful victory? That he could ascertain.
After a moment, Vangelis frowned.
"You'll need someone you trust at each position." He commented, pointing at three independent positions on the map. "One, I'm assuming will be yourself." Stephanos didn't strike him as the kind of man to sit on the side-lines and watch his men carry out his plans, even if he was now monarch. "Do you have ideas on who's commanding the other two?" He nodded his head towards the closed door. "Given that you've stated your council to be full of snakes?"
"Do you have ideas on who's commanding the other two?" Vangelis asked. "Given that you've stated your council to be full of snakes?"
Stephanos looked at the other prince meaningfully. No matter what reason or deferment Vangelis might give, he would not take no for an answer. There were so few people in his court that he could trust. Maddeningly, one of them had to be his cousin, Achilleas. Though a son of his arch rival, he believed, for now at least, that the son supported him, even if the father did not. As to the other branch…
“I was thinking that you might...now that you’re here.” His other choices were pure desperation. To Stephanos, Vangelis’s arrival was clearly a sign that his campaign would not only succeed, but was nearly assured victory. Though the Colchian prince was not at all the kind of person he wanted to pass a night of entertainment and wine away with, he most certainly was someone he wanted at his side in war.
And war this was.
The rest of the hour was spent either convincing Vangelis of what a favor this would be, how much he would be indebted to Colchis, surely this could only strengthen relations between the two realms, and so on, or, it was spent going over every meticulous detail of the strategy, right down to where he’d hidden most of the chariots. Of course letters had been sent out, but letters went out from the palace all the time. And it would be impossible for Irakles to intercept every single one and figure out what he was doing.
More specifically because anything that could be done by word of mouth was done. The tar, the need for archers and fletchers, the gathered horses would hardly raise an eyebrow. Stephanos laid bare his case and by either charm or cunning, managed to convince the crown prince of Colchis to join his cause and not only that, but the prince promised to commit soldiers as well.
It was more than Stephanos could have wished for earlier that morning, and certainly more than he thought he would even have. He came around the table and clasped Vangelis on the shoulder, drawing him into something of a manhandled side hug. It didn’t matter to him that the blood general seemed like he’d rather have been stabbed than touched in this manner.
“Tonight, we sacrifice to the gods of war, and we celebrate an early victory...or at least our way toward the Elysian fields…”
Stephanos would not hear of any objections and swore up and down to at least show the Colchian prince a few of the war accounts of his grandfather’s time in dealing with the Creed. It was the most charitable thing he could do...,
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"Do you have ideas on who's commanding the other two?" Vangelis asked. "Given that you've stated your council to be full of snakes?"
Stephanos looked at the other prince meaningfully. No matter what reason or deferment Vangelis might give, he would not take no for an answer. There were so few people in his court that he could trust. Maddeningly, one of them had to be his cousin, Achilleas. Though a son of his arch rival, he believed, for now at least, that the son supported him, even if the father did not. As to the other branch…
“I was thinking that you might...now that you’re here.” His other choices were pure desperation. To Stephanos, Vangelis’s arrival was clearly a sign that his campaign would not only succeed, but was nearly assured victory. Though the Colchian prince was not at all the kind of person he wanted to pass a night of entertainment and wine away with, he most certainly was someone he wanted at his side in war.
And war this was.
The rest of the hour was spent either convincing Vangelis of what a favor this would be, how much he would be indebted to Colchis, surely this could only strengthen relations between the two realms, and so on, or, it was spent going over every meticulous detail of the strategy, right down to where he’d hidden most of the chariots. Of course letters had been sent out, but letters went out from the palace all the time. And it would be impossible for Irakles to intercept every single one and figure out what he was doing.
More specifically because anything that could be done by word of mouth was done. The tar, the need for archers and fletchers, the gathered horses would hardly raise an eyebrow. Stephanos laid bare his case and by either charm or cunning, managed to convince the crown prince of Colchis to join his cause and not only that, but the prince promised to commit soldiers as well.
It was more than Stephanos could have wished for earlier that morning, and certainly more than he thought he would even have. He came around the table and clasped Vangelis on the shoulder, drawing him into something of a manhandled side hug. It didn’t matter to him that the blood general seemed like he’d rather have been stabbed than touched in this manner.
“Tonight, we sacrifice to the gods of war, and we celebrate an early victory...or at least our way toward the Elysian fields…”
Stephanos would not hear of any objections and swore up and down to at least show the Colchian prince a few of the war accounts of his grandfather’s time in dealing with the Creed. It was the most charitable thing he could do...,
"Do you have ideas on who's commanding the other two?" Vangelis asked. "Given that you've stated your council to be full of snakes?"
Stephanos looked at the other prince meaningfully. No matter what reason or deferment Vangelis might give, he would not take no for an answer. There were so few people in his court that he could trust. Maddeningly, one of them had to be his cousin, Achilleas. Though a son of his arch rival, he believed, for now at least, that the son supported him, even if the father did not. As to the other branch…
“I was thinking that you might...now that you’re here.” His other choices were pure desperation. To Stephanos, Vangelis’s arrival was clearly a sign that his campaign would not only succeed, but was nearly assured victory. Though the Colchian prince was not at all the kind of person he wanted to pass a night of entertainment and wine away with, he most certainly was someone he wanted at his side in war.
And war this was.
The rest of the hour was spent either convincing Vangelis of what a favor this would be, how much he would be indebted to Colchis, surely this could only strengthen relations between the two realms, and so on, or, it was spent going over every meticulous detail of the strategy, right down to where he’d hidden most of the chariots. Of course letters had been sent out, but letters went out from the palace all the time. And it would be impossible for Irakles to intercept every single one and figure out what he was doing.
More specifically because anything that could be done by word of mouth was done. The tar, the need for archers and fletchers, the gathered horses would hardly raise an eyebrow. Stephanos laid bare his case and by either charm or cunning, managed to convince the crown prince of Colchis to join his cause and not only that, but the prince promised to commit soldiers as well.
It was more than Stephanos could have wished for earlier that morning, and certainly more than he thought he would even have. He came around the table and clasped Vangelis on the shoulder, drawing him into something of a manhandled side hug. It didn’t matter to him that the blood general seemed like he’d rather have been stabbed than touched in this manner.
“Tonight, we sacrifice to the gods of war, and we celebrate an early victory...or at least our way toward the Elysian fields…”
Stephanos would not hear of any objections and swore up and down to at least show the Colchian prince a few of the war accounts of his grandfather’s time in dealing with the Creed. It was the most charitable thing he could do...,
