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Xene was pleased that Achilleas did not reject her want to move further into the gardens. Further into the gardens and further from anyone who could be spying or hear their conversation. Everything they were speaking of could be seen as treasonous to the wrong people and Xene was absolutely intent on ensuring that their conversation did not leave this garden. She trusted Heron to keep his distance, listen, and never repeat a single word to anyone he came across.
He had not been in her service long, but Xene had found herself to trust him more than anyone else in the palati. Sometimes she trusted him even more than her own family, which wasn't surprising in and of itself.
Staring ahead as they walked, the princess gave a very firm shake of her head. She would not dismiss Herson, no matter what Achilleas thought or felt about it. Her choice of guard would be none of his business and she would not let him make it his concern. "I know and trust my guard perfectly well, Achilleas," Xene said pointedly, "I would not have chosen him if I did not. You may think me brash, drunk, and likely unable to form a non-emotional thought at this moment, but I can choose my own guards." Xene eyed him as if she were daring him to argue the point further. She would have been happy to leave him in the garden if he tried.
Heron would have been happy to step in, she knew. He didn't seem like a particularly friendly man, all things considered. Just as Xene did not trust most people, neither did Heron. He had his reservations about some of her friends, but he would never outright question her about her choices. He would simply watch and wait and step in if anything became particularly concerning. Maybe someone would end up dead. Who knew.
So long as Xene was safe.
Which was exactly the reason that the princess was not keen on releasing her guard from her service. While Achilleas knew his own men and trusted them beyond words, Xene did not.
"I keep few friends anymore, Achilleas," Xene said carefully, keeping her gaze ahead and on the path. "I find it harder and harder to trust anyone by the day. My father's and Zach's death were one thing... but now Stephanos? I find it difficult to keep many of the connections that I had once made... mostly due to my own need to protect myself. You may not think me in danger... but I see danger at every turn. I am not willing to approach potential allies to my brother unless I know for sure that their friendship will not cost him or us our lives."
She was being honest. Trusting Achilleas would be a new effort for Xene. After so long without him in her company, it would only be natural. But she would make the effort if he was being true to his word about his intentions.
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Xene was pleased that Achilleas did not reject her want to move further into the gardens. Further into the gardens and further from anyone who could be spying or hear their conversation. Everything they were speaking of could be seen as treasonous to the wrong people and Xene was absolutely intent on ensuring that their conversation did not leave this garden. She trusted Heron to keep his distance, listen, and never repeat a single word to anyone he came across.
He had not been in her service long, but Xene had found herself to trust him more than anyone else in the palati. Sometimes she trusted him even more than her own family, which wasn't surprising in and of itself.
Staring ahead as they walked, the princess gave a very firm shake of her head. She would not dismiss Herson, no matter what Achilleas thought or felt about it. Her choice of guard would be none of his business and she would not let him make it his concern. "I know and trust my guard perfectly well, Achilleas," Xene said pointedly, "I would not have chosen him if I did not. You may think me brash, drunk, and likely unable to form a non-emotional thought at this moment, but I can choose my own guards." Xene eyed him as if she were daring him to argue the point further. She would have been happy to leave him in the garden if he tried.
Heron would have been happy to step in, she knew. He didn't seem like a particularly friendly man, all things considered. Just as Xene did not trust most people, neither did Heron. He had his reservations about some of her friends, but he would never outright question her about her choices. He would simply watch and wait and step in if anything became particularly concerning. Maybe someone would end up dead. Who knew.
So long as Xene was safe.
Which was exactly the reason that the princess was not keen on releasing her guard from her service. While Achilleas knew his own men and trusted them beyond words, Xene did not.
"I keep few friends anymore, Achilleas," Xene said carefully, keeping her gaze ahead and on the path. "I find it harder and harder to trust anyone by the day. My father's and Zach's death were one thing... but now Stephanos? I find it difficult to keep many of the connections that I had once made... mostly due to my own need to protect myself. You may not think me in danger... but I see danger at every turn. I am not willing to approach potential allies to my brother unless I know for sure that their friendship will not cost him or us our lives."
She was being honest. Trusting Achilleas would be a new effort for Xene. After so long without him in her company, it would only be natural. But she would make the effort if he was being true to his word about his intentions.
Xene was pleased that Achilleas did not reject her want to move further into the gardens. Further into the gardens and further from anyone who could be spying or hear their conversation. Everything they were speaking of could be seen as treasonous to the wrong people and Xene was absolutely intent on ensuring that their conversation did not leave this garden. She trusted Heron to keep his distance, listen, and never repeat a single word to anyone he came across.
He had not been in her service long, but Xene had found herself to trust him more than anyone else in the palati. Sometimes she trusted him even more than her own family, which wasn't surprising in and of itself.
Staring ahead as they walked, the princess gave a very firm shake of her head. She would not dismiss Herson, no matter what Achilleas thought or felt about it. Her choice of guard would be none of his business and she would not let him make it his concern. "I know and trust my guard perfectly well, Achilleas," Xene said pointedly, "I would not have chosen him if I did not. You may think me brash, drunk, and likely unable to form a non-emotional thought at this moment, but I can choose my own guards." Xene eyed him as if she were daring him to argue the point further. She would have been happy to leave him in the garden if he tried.
Heron would have been happy to step in, she knew. He didn't seem like a particularly friendly man, all things considered. Just as Xene did not trust most people, neither did Heron. He had his reservations about some of her friends, but he would never outright question her about her choices. He would simply watch and wait and step in if anything became particularly concerning. Maybe someone would end up dead. Who knew.
So long as Xene was safe.
Which was exactly the reason that the princess was not keen on releasing her guard from her service. While Achilleas knew his own men and trusted them beyond words, Xene did not.
"I keep few friends anymore, Achilleas," Xene said carefully, keeping her gaze ahead and on the path. "I find it harder and harder to trust anyone by the day. My father's and Zach's death were one thing... but now Stephanos? I find it difficult to keep many of the connections that I had once made... mostly due to my own need to protect myself. You may not think me in danger... but I see danger at every turn. I am not willing to approach potential allies to my brother unless I know for sure that their friendship will not cost him or us our lives."
She was being honest. Trusting Achilleas would be a new effort for Xene. After so long without him in her company, it would only be natural. But she would make the effort if he was being true to his word about his intentions.
It would be quite possible, the Lord mused, to spend hours in the palati grounds and not cross your own path once. Xene led them deeper into the gardens, between the trees of fig and olive, branches hung low and heavy with fruit. He did not even have to reach up, just twisted one of the dark globes from the tree, soft and sweet, and with another twist he removed the stem, flicked it carelessly aside and extended to fruit towards his cousin.
With summer edging into autumn, the figs were at their best, plump and sugary, and Achilleas plucked another for himself, letting the sweetness of the fruit chase away the bitterness of words that he’d spoken hastily before.
That Xene rejected his offer of bringing in some of the Lions should probably not have surprised him ; she had after all, expressed doubt in his own trustworthiness not moments ago, so why would she trust others on his say so? Still, he could not help but wonder what the man Heron had done to be taken into her confidence so quickly. He clearly had not been a very effective guard had he? The Princess’ next words scored a mark though, the dark-haired lord looking sheepish as she threw his own words back at him, and it was enough to have him stifle the “Really, Xene, I would..” that had suggested he might indeed have been willing to pursue the matter, and Achilleas closed his mouth, lapsed into quiet once more as he accepted the silent warning present in the blue gaze she turned on him.
He gave a nod and dropped the matter, at least for now. He thought he might try and find out a little more about this man, Heron, just to put his own mind at rest.
With that point perhaps left as ‘agreeing to disagree’, Achilleas had turned his attention to other connections that the Princess might have; connections who might be considered as loyal to Stephanos, who might have answers to some of the questions that had been raised as to the young King’s behaviours. His cousin was rarely a solitary man, Achilleas knew, so there must be someone, surely, who could speak of his whereabouts?
His thoughts drifted to Emilios, whom he'd scarcely seen. But his brother had hardly seemed to have any answers when they had spoken after the senate meet, so the lord did not want to pin their hopes there. Xene’s reply then - that she had distanced herself from those she might have counted friends and could not name one that she would consider an ally, was not welcome news.
He understood her reticence, but he worried that they did not have the time perhaps to establish the bonds of trust that she would wish. If Stephanos was so convinced his life was in danger, that Olympia’s life was in danger, then he could not see the man just waiting patiently for it to happen. And given his cousin’s tendency toward recklessness, there was no telling where that might lead them. He sighed.
“So then, Stephanos alone can tell us what he was doing and when” he said. “And you will speak to him?”
It left him with little he could actually do, a thing Achilleas always struggled with. He was a practical man, he saw a problem and he looked for solutions. It was a trait that served him well on the battlefield, but that often left him uneasy and impotent when faced with the complicated and tangled web of intrigue that the Taengean court so loved to create for itself. There seemed little more that could be done, until they at least had words from the man at the heart of it all. Which led him reluctantly on to another such man.
“I...attempted to speak to my father. To find out what his plans are in terms of a trial”
Or at least, that was what he had been intending to speak of, had he been allowed to get that far. It had not gone so well. “He does not hold much faith with me as it stands, so I cannot promise to be able to be useful in learning of his intentions.” Which meant that for now, their hopes of finding something that would give them what was needed to effect change, rested solely with Xene.
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It would be quite possible, the Lord mused, to spend hours in the palati grounds and not cross your own path once. Xene led them deeper into the gardens, between the trees of fig and olive, branches hung low and heavy with fruit. He did not even have to reach up, just twisted one of the dark globes from the tree, soft and sweet, and with another twist he removed the stem, flicked it carelessly aside and extended to fruit towards his cousin.
With summer edging into autumn, the figs were at their best, plump and sugary, and Achilleas plucked another for himself, letting the sweetness of the fruit chase away the bitterness of words that he’d spoken hastily before.
That Xene rejected his offer of bringing in some of the Lions should probably not have surprised him ; she had after all, expressed doubt in his own trustworthiness not moments ago, so why would she trust others on his say so? Still, he could not help but wonder what the man Heron had done to be taken into her confidence so quickly. He clearly had not been a very effective guard had he? The Princess’ next words scored a mark though, the dark-haired lord looking sheepish as she threw his own words back at him, and it was enough to have him stifle the “Really, Xene, I would..” that had suggested he might indeed have been willing to pursue the matter, and Achilleas closed his mouth, lapsed into quiet once more as he accepted the silent warning present in the blue gaze she turned on him.
He gave a nod and dropped the matter, at least for now. He thought he might try and find out a little more about this man, Heron, just to put his own mind at rest.
With that point perhaps left as ‘agreeing to disagree’, Achilleas had turned his attention to other connections that the Princess might have; connections who might be considered as loyal to Stephanos, who might have answers to some of the questions that had been raised as to the young King’s behaviours. His cousin was rarely a solitary man, Achilleas knew, so there must be someone, surely, who could speak of his whereabouts?
His thoughts drifted to Emilios, whom he'd scarcely seen. But his brother had hardly seemed to have any answers when they had spoken after the senate meet, so the lord did not want to pin their hopes there. Xene’s reply then - that she had distanced herself from those she might have counted friends and could not name one that she would consider an ally, was not welcome news.
He understood her reticence, but he worried that they did not have the time perhaps to establish the bonds of trust that she would wish. If Stephanos was so convinced his life was in danger, that Olympia’s life was in danger, then he could not see the man just waiting patiently for it to happen. And given his cousin’s tendency toward recklessness, there was no telling where that might lead them. He sighed.
“So then, Stephanos alone can tell us what he was doing and when” he said. “And you will speak to him?”
It left him with little he could actually do, a thing Achilleas always struggled with. He was a practical man, he saw a problem and he looked for solutions. It was a trait that served him well on the battlefield, but that often left him uneasy and impotent when faced with the complicated and tangled web of intrigue that the Taengean court so loved to create for itself. There seemed little more that could be done, until they at least had words from the man at the heart of it all. Which led him reluctantly on to another such man.
“I...attempted to speak to my father. To find out what his plans are in terms of a trial”
Or at least, that was what he had been intending to speak of, had he been allowed to get that far. It had not gone so well. “He does not hold much faith with me as it stands, so I cannot promise to be able to be useful in learning of his intentions.” Which meant that for now, their hopes of finding something that would give them what was needed to effect change, rested solely with Xene.
It would be quite possible, the Lord mused, to spend hours in the palati grounds and not cross your own path once. Xene led them deeper into the gardens, between the trees of fig and olive, branches hung low and heavy with fruit. He did not even have to reach up, just twisted one of the dark globes from the tree, soft and sweet, and with another twist he removed the stem, flicked it carelessly aside and extended to fruit towards his cousin.
With summer edging into autumn, the figs were at their best, plump and sugary, and Achilleas plucked another for himself, letting the sweetness of the fruit chase away the bitterness of words that he’d spoken hastily before.
That Xene rejected his offer of bringing in some of the Lions should probably not have surprised him ; she had after all, expressed doubt in his own trustworthiness not moments ago, so why would she trust others on his say so? Still, he could not help but wonder what the man Heron had done to be taken into her confidence so quickly. He clearly had not been a very effective guard had he? The Princess’ next words scored a mark though, the dark-haired lord looking sheepish as she threw his own words back at him, and it was enough to have him stifle the “Really, Xene, I would..” that had suggested he might indeed have been willing to pursue the matter, and Achilleas closed his mouth, lapsed into quiet once more as he accepted the silent warning present in the blue gaze she turned on him.
He gave a nod and dropped the matter, at least for now. He thought he might try and find out a little more about this man, Heron, just to put his own mind at rest.
With that point perhaps left as ‘agreeing to disagree’, Achilleas had turned his attention to other connections that the Princess might have; connections who might be considered as loyal to Stephanos, who might have answers to some of the questions that had been raised as to the young King’s behaviours. His cousin was rarely a solitary man, Achilleas knew, so there must be someone, surely, who could speak of his whereabouts?
His thoughts drifted to Emilios, whom he'd scarcely seen. But his brother had hardly seemed to have any answers when they had spoken after the senate meet, so the lord did not want to pin their hopes there. Xene’s reply then - that she had distanced herself from those she might have counted friends and could not name one that she would consider an ally, was not welcome news.
He understood her reticence, but he worried that they did not have the time perhaps to establish the bonds of trust that she would wish. If Stephanos was so convinced his life was in danger, that Olympia’s life was in danger, then he could not see the man just waiting patiently for it to happen. And given his cousin’s tendency toward recklessness, there was no telling where that might lead them. He sighed.
“So then, Stephanos alone can tell us what he was doing and when” he said. “And you will speak to him?”
It left him with little he could actually do, a thing Achilleas always struggled with. He was a practical man, he saw a problem and he looked for solutions. It was a trait that served him well on the battlefield, but that often left him uneasy and impotent when faced with the complicated and tangled web of intrigue that the Taengean court so loved to create for itself. There seemed little more that could be done, until they at least had words from the man at the heart of it all. Which led him reluctantly on to another such man.
“I...attempted to speak to my father. To find out what his plans are in terms of a trial”
Or at least, that was what he had been intending to speak of, had he been allowed to get that far. It had not gone so well. “He does not hold much faith with me as it stands, so I cannot promise to be able to be useful in learning of his intentions.” Which meant that for now, their hopes of finding something that would give them what was needed to effect change, rested solely with Xene.
Xene had always adored the Palati's host of fruit and olive trees. They had been a keen source of entertainment and bounty over the years, to which she often gave many thanks to the gods. The late summer harvests were her favorite for the very reason that the fruits and olives were vastly plentiful and delicious. So when the two of them trailed through the groves and rows of fruit bearers, Xene could not help herself. Delicate fingers trailed against a few of the fruits to settle on the sweet and hearty scents of the gardens around them. It was difficult not to feel at ease here, even with everything that happened thus far.
Achilleas' offer of the succulent fruit was not rejected and she took it with ease. Taking her first dainty bite, the feeling of something settling on her stomach that wasn't alcohol was more than welcome. He seemed intent on pushing his own agenda in terms of her guard, to which she once more shook her head.
"I appreciate the offer, cousin, but unless my dear Heron were to become infirm, I must decline. I quite enjoy him in my service," she said lightly, giving him no more room to argue with her. If he brought it up again, she would simply walk away without a second through.
They were to be discussing her brother, not her choice of the guard. It was in Stephanos' innocence that there were more questions to be answered. He should have been the main focus of the conversation and Xene found herself relieved that he changed direction once more. The princess would not be bullied into giving more information about her guard. Especially with Zacharias' reputation on the line and his added detriment of not being alive to defend himself.
"It is true. All of our answers about Stephanos lie with Stephanos himself, cousin. It is he we should be questioning. I trust fully that he had no hand in such heinous acts, but it is our word against many," the princess noted delicately. There was a long moment of pause while she took another bite of her fig. She waited until her mouth was clear before she spoke once more. "I want to be very sure that what evidence we can gather is true before so publically questioning your father. The gods know that spurning him before all of our people would be a disastrous step for us. For you especially. You have so much more to lose," Xene murmured.
Achilleas' mention of his father's intentions, or rather the lack of knowledge of them, brought a sight from her lips. "We will simply have to work with that. If you cannot glean information from him, then you will have to use your own instincts and observational skills. I'm sure that isn't too much of a chore for you, my Lord," Xene took the moment to tease him. "You are a baron and it is not all because your father handed you the land and title. You had to prove yourself," she hummed, giving him an encouraging smile.
"Are you confident enough to keep your wits about you, Achilleas?"
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Xene had always adored the Palati's host of fruit and olive trees. They had been a keen source of entertainment and bounty over the years, to which she often gave many thanks to the gods. The late summer harvests were her favorite for the very reason that the fruits and olives were vastly plentiful and delicious. So when the two of them trailed through the groves and rows of fruit bearers, Xene could not help herself. Delicate fingers trailed against a few of the fruits to settle on the sweet and hearty scents of the gardens around them. It was difficult not to feel at ease here, even with everything that happened thus far.
Achilleas' offer of the succulent fruit was not rejected and she took it with ease. Taking her first dainty bite, the feeling of something settling on her stomach that wasn't alcohol was more than welcome. He seemed intent on pushing his own agenda in terms of her guard, to which she once more shook her head.
"I appreciate the offer, cousin, but unless my dear Heron were to become infirm, I must decline. I quite enjoy him in my service," she said lightly, giving him no more room to argue with her. If he brought it up again, she would simply walk away without a second through.
They were to be discussing her brother, not her choice of the guard. It was in Stephanos' innocence that there were more questions to be answered. He should have been the main focus of the conversation and Xene found herself relieved that he changed direction once more. The princess would not be bullied into giving more information about her guard. Especially with Zacharias' reputation on the line and his added detriment of not being alive to defend himself.
"It is true. All of our answers about Stephanos lie with Stephanos himself, cousin. It is he we should be questioning. I trust fully that he had no hand in such heinous acts, but it is our word against many," the princess noted delicately. There was a long moment of pause while she took another bite of her fig. She waited until her mouth was clear before she spoke once more. "I want to be very sure that what evidence we can gather is true before so publically questioning your father. The gods know that spurning him before all of our people would be a disastrous step for us. For you especially. You have so much more to lose," Xene murmured.
Achilleas' mention of his father's intentions, or rather the lack of knowledge of them, brought a sight from her lips. "We will simply have to work with that. If you cannot glean information from him, then you will have to use your own instincts and observational skills. I'm sure that isn't too much of a chore for you, my Lord," Xene took the moment to tease him. "You are a baron and it is not all because your father handed you the land and title. You had to prove yourself," she hummed, giving him an encouraging smile.
"Are you confident enough to keep your wits about you, Achilleas?"
Xene had always adored the Palati's host of fruit and olive trees. They had been a keen source of entertainment and bounty over the years, to which she often gave many thanks to the gods. The late summer harvests were her favorite for the very reason that the fruits and olives were vastly plentiful and delicious. So when the two of them trailed through the groves and rows of fruit bearers, Xene could not help herself. Delicate fingers trailed against a few of the fruits to settle on the sweet and hearty scents of the gardens around them. It was difficult not to feel at ease here, even with everything that happened thus far.
Achilleas' offer of the succulent fruit was not rejected and she took it with ease. Taking her first dainty bite, the feeling of something settling on her stomach that wasn't alcohol was more than welcome. He seemed intent on pushing his own agenda in terms of her guard, to which she once more shook her head.
"I appreciate the offer, cousin, but unless my dear Heron were to become infirm, I must decline. I quite enjoy him in my service," she said lightly, giving him no more room to argue with her. If he brought it up again, she would simply walk away without a second through.
They were to be discussing her brother, not her choice of the guard. It was in Stephanos' innocence that there were more questions to be answered. He should have been the main focus of the conversation and Xene found herself relieved that he changed direction once more. The princess would not be bullied into giving more information about her guard. Especially with Zacharias' reputation on the line and his added detriment of not being alive to defend himself.
"It is true. All of our answers about Stephanos lie with Stephanos himself, cousin. It is he we should be questioning. I trust fully that he had no hand in such heinous acts, but it is our word against many," the princess noted delicately. There was a long moment of pause while she took another bite of her fig. She waited until her mouth was clear before she spoke once more. "I want to be very sure that what evidence we can gather is true before so publically questioning your father. The gods know that spurning him before all of our people would be a disastrous step for us. For you especially. You have so much more to lose," Xene murmured.
Achilleas' mention of his father's intentions, or rather the lack of knowledge of them, brought a sight from her lips. "We will simply have to work with that. If you cannot glean information from him, then you will have to use your own instincts and observational skills. I'm sure that isn't too much of a chore for you, my Lord," Xene took the moment to tease him. "You are a baron and it is not all because your father handed you the land and title. You had to prove yourself," she hummed, giving him an encouraging smile.
"Are you confident enough to keep your wits about you, Achilleas?"
It was not difficult for them to agree on one thing; that they believed Stephanos innocent of those claims laid against him. And as Xene spoke on, Achilleas felt a little comforted by her statement towards establishing fact before they made any noise in the senate. It was what he had tried to say earlier.Yes, he had much to lose, but he could not sit by and do nothing. Not when it was family.
Looking at Xene, he wished he did not find her words so jarring. For whilst it was true that he had many years in the senate behind him, and had learned much along the way, he had never found himself working against his father before now. He had always done as he was bid. The senate meeting had been a first, that very public defiance, and it would be a lie to say Achilleas was enjoying the aftermath. He frowned a little as he considered.
“Keeping my wits about me is not a problem, cousin, but I fear my father and his friends are better at these games than I”. The Baron forged his path by being as open as he was able, by being someone that his men and subjects felt they could trust. His skills lay in that, not in subterfuge and manipulation. And Irakles always put him on the back foot anyway, cut through the subtleties that would fool anyone who did not know him so well. It made him uncomfortable to think on it.
“I meant to tell you” he went on, directing the conversation away from his own abilities, towards what had been his very pretence for calling upon the Princess this day. “ I dealt with those fools who caused such a scene at the reception. You should expect written expressions of regret, but they have been reminded in less than subtle terms of what is expected whilst at court. It should not be a problem again.”
Achilleas had not been forgiving when the lords had presented themselves at the archontiko. As Varonos of the Mikaelidas House, they had shamed not only themselves but his own name, and that was not a thing that he would treat lightly. And he had tried to ignore the fact that it should technically have been Emilios dealing with them, given that his Father had shifted the Head of House duties to him in part of his message of displeasure to Achilleas. It stung all the same.
“Anyway..I just wanted to let you know it has been addressed.” he finished. “ As if we lions need anything else to marr our name at the moment” There was a brittleness to his tone, for it would be silly to think that such things were not noticed by the other Royal Houses, and the Lord gave a shake of his head, before coming to a halt, looking at his cousin once more.
“I have taken too much of your time already I am sure, but I am glad Xene, to have spoken to you, and sorry that it has taken me so long to do so. If you can speak with Stephanos then perhaps we might reconvene and talk further? You can send word to me at the manor though I would suggest we do not meet here. I do not want to risk running into my father everytime we speak” He smiled as if he were joking but it did not quite reach his eyes. Stepping forward, he pressed a kiss to her cheek, speaking softly as he pulled away “Do not think you have been forgotten, cousin mine. You and your sister both..if you need anything..”
If he could look out for them in his cousin’s stead until they got Stephanos out of this mess then he would, as best as he was able. He left Xene with such promises, and with the important task of speaking to her brother, so they might begin to untangle the web that had been so carefully spun for him.
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It was not difficult for them to agree on one thing; that they believed Stephanos innocent of those claims laid against him. And as Xene spoke on, Achilleas felt a little comforted by her statement towards establishing fact before they made any noise in the senate. It was what he had tried to say earlier.Yes, he had much to lose, but he could not sit by and do nothing. Not when it was family.
Looking at Xene, he wished he did not find her words so jarring. For whilst it was true that he had many years in the senate behind him, and had learned much along the way, he had never found himself working against his father before now. He had always done as he was bid. The senate meeting had been a first, that very public defiance, and it would be a lie to say Achilleas was enjoying the aftermath. He frowned a little as he considered.
“Keeping my wits about me is not a problem, cousin, but I fear my father and his friends are better at these games than I”. The Baron forged his path by being as open as he was able, by being someone that his men and subjects felt they could trust. His skills lay in that, not in subterfuge and manipulation. And Irakles always put him on the back foot anyway, cut through the subtleties that would fool anyone who did not know him so well. It made him uncomfortable to think on it.
“I meant to tell you” he went on, directing the conversation away from his own abilities, towards what had been his very pretence for calling upon the Princess this day. “ I dealt with those fools who caused such a scene at the reception. You should expect written expressions of regret, but they have been reminded in less than subtle terms of what is expected whilst at court. It should not be a problem again.”
Achilleas had not been forgiving when the lords had presented themselves at the archontiko. As Varonos of the Mikaelidas House, they had shamed not only themselves but his own name, and that was not a thing that he would treat lightly. And he had tried to ignore the fact that it should technically have been Emilios dealing with them, given that his Father had shifted the Head of House duties to him in part of his message of displeasure to Achilleas. It stung all the same.
“Anyway..I just wanted to let you know it has been addressed.” he finished. “ As if we lions need anything else to marr our name at the moment” There was a brittleness to his tone, for it would be silly to think that such things were not noticed by the other Royal Houses, and the Lord gave a shake of his head, before coming to a halt, looking at his cousin once more.
“I have taken too much of your time already I am sure, but I am glad Xene, to have spoken to you, and sorry that it has taken me so long to do so. If you can speak with Stephanos then perhaps we might reconvene and talk further? You can send word to me at the manor though I would suggest we do not meet here. I do not want to risk running into my father everytime we speak” He smiled as if he were joking but it did not quite reach his eyes. Stepping forward, he pressed a kiss to her cheek, speaking softly as he pulled away “Do not think you have been forgotten, cousin mine. You and your sister both..if you need anything..”
If he could look out for them in his cousin’s stead until they got Stephanos out of this mess then he would, as best as he was able. He left Xene with such promises, and with the important task of speaking to her brother, so they might begin to untangle the web that had been so carefully spun for him.
It was not difficult for them to agree on one thing; that they believed Stephanos innocent of those claims laid against him. And as Xene spoke on, Achilleas felt a little comforted by her statement towards establishing fact before they made any noise in the senate. It was what he had tried to say earlier.Yes, he had much to lose, but he could not sit by and do nothing. Not when it was family.
Looking at Xene, he wished he did not find her words so jarring. For whilst it was true that he had many years in the senate behind him, and had learned much along the way, he had never found himself working against his father before now. He had always done as he was bid. The senate meeting had been a first, that very public defiance, and it would be a lie to say Achilleas was enjoying the aftermath. He frowned a little as he considered.
“Keeping my wits about me is not a problem, cousin, but I fear my father and his friends are better at these games than I”. The Baron forged his path by being as open as he was able, by being someone that his men and subjects felt they could trust. His skills lay in that, not in subterfuge and manipulation. And Irakles always put him on the back foot anyway, cut through the subtleties that would fool anyone who did not know him so well. It made him uncomfortable to think on it.
“I meant to tell you” he went on, directing the conversation away from his own abilities, towards what had been his very pretence for calling upon the Princess this day. “ I dealt with those fools who caused such a scene at the reception. You should expect written expressions of regret, but they have been reminded in less than subtle terms of what is expected whilst at court. It should not be a problem again.”
Achilleas had not been forgiving when the lords had presented themselves at the archontiko. As Varonos of the Mikaelidas House, they had shamed not only themselves but his own name, and that was not a thing that he would treat lightly. And he had tried to ignore the fact that it should technically have been Emilios dealing with them, given that his Father had shifted the Head of House duties to him in part of his message of displeasure to Achilleas. It stung all the same.
“Anyway..I just wanted to let you know it has been addressed.” he finished. “ As if we lions need anything else to marr our name at the moment” There was a brittleness to his tone, for it would be silly to think that such things were not noticed by the other Royal Houses, and the Lord gave a shake of his head, before coming to a halt, looking at his cousin once more.
“I have taken too much of your time already I am sure, but I am glad Xene, to have spoken to you, and sorry that it has taken me so long to do so. If you can speak with Stephanos then perhaps we might reconvene and talk further? You can send word to me at the manor though I would suggest we do not meet here. I do not want to risk running into my father everytime we speak” He smiled as if he were joking but it did not quite reach his eyes. Stepping forward, he pressed a kiss to her cheek, speaking softly as he pulled away “Do not think you have been forgotten, cousin mine. You and your sister both..if you need anything..”
If he could look out for them in his cousin’s stead until they got Stephanos out of this mess then he would, as best as he was able. He left Xene with such promises, and with the important task of speaking to her brother, so they might begin to untangle the web that had been so carefully spun for him.