Danae didn’t understand why the Xanthos family seemed to think that this vote was going to do anything but fail, especially after the events of yesterday. The Marikas family was clearly throwing their lot in with her family and together they dwarfed the Xanthos family and their only ally left, Antonis. They had more lands, more barons, more funds, but most importantly, they had more votes. If everything worked out the way that Danae understood the Senate to work, the crown shouldn’t have any sort of chance. On paper, the outcome was clear and every signal pointed to Minas suffering from a humiliating defeat.

Yet, he called for the vote anyway.

It didn’t make sense, not in the slightest. She had tried to bring her concerns up to the other members of her family, just trying to find a set of ears that would let her work through her thoughts; but they all just saw her as a bother. Don’t worry yourself with such things. They had told her. Celebrate your brother’s victory! Her thoughts were quickly dismissed and her scowl was unfairly scolded. She couldn’t even be bothered to pretend to be happy, not when her mind was constantly turning trying to figure out why the crown would subject themselves to the embarrassment the Senate meeting was going to be. Athenians were proud and were ones to hold their heads high. They wouldn’t just do this. Something wasn’t right here.

Her anger over the engagement disappeared into a nervous knot that kept twisting itself over and over again in her stomach as she stepped into the carriage. Scooting over to the window, her mind wandered as her sister took her usual place next to her. Her eyes were unfocused, mouth moving silently and quickly as she ran through the numbers over and over, trying so many different combinations to lead to the solution that was just out of her grasp. Her fingers twitched as she struggled with the mental problem, a sign of her hidden stress that came from the numbers failing her. All her life, she had come to rely on the numbers always making sense. Maybe that’s why she couldn’t let this go. Danae couldn’t let this rest until she had the solution that let everything make sense.

“Move over.” Chara hissed sharply as she settled in next to Danae and also sat on the piles of fabric that was her little sister’s chiton. The youngest Stravos pulled on it, causing a small ripping noise to travel through the carriage. She immediately dropped the fabric and glanced up at her mother with a nervous expression, properly shaken out of her thoughts. Normally, Danae wouldn’t care too much for the state of her dresses and wouldn’t be bothered over such tiny tears, but this dress was different. It had been a part of the pile of gifts that the Marikas family had sent over that morning for the newly betrothed girl to wear to show off their fortune, both in wealth and luck for securing a Stravos girl for their son. It was clear that the gifts were for today and that was why Danae was laden down with an almost gaudy amount of jewelry. Gold and Silver bracelets, earrings with shining gemstones, a headband framing an uncomfortable top knot meant to resemble a crown. Danae hated it all. She hated how visible the sheer amount of precious metals made her like she was a walking gold bar when paired with the yellow fabric of her dress. This wasn’t something she’d ever chosen herself. Not when it was literally designed to force her to become some sort of sick little trophy for Rafail.

No, never in a million years would she tolerate that.

There was one thing though that Danae had to admit though that she liked. Around her neck was a low hanging necklace with red clawlike gemstones encased in gold, her true house colors. She refused to wear any of the other pieces in order to let this one take a center stage. It would be her subtle act of rebellion against the family that was desperate to claim her as one of their own. You could put her in as much yellow as they liked, they could change her name, but there was no way in hell she’d abandon her Stravos roots. She’d only do that over her dead body.

When her mother tried to remind her daughters how to behave, Danae couldn’t help, but deepen her scowl. She would not wave nor would she smile. Circenia should know that her youngest was not an actress and there would be nothing for her to happy about. However, she ducked her head as the carriage rumbled forward in order to hide it. The last thing Danae wanted today was a lecture from the woman.

However, the phrase that this was her brother’s birthright kept racing through her mind as Chara and Circenia lost themselves in their own conversation. Danae didn’t see it as his birthright, not when she saw him as a pompous strumpet. He wasn’t worthy of carrying on her family’s name when he barely embodied their ideals. Not that she’d ever say that aloud, but she knew it to be the truth.

Either way, it was hardly inspiring in his little sister.

Soon enough, the carriage arrived at the Senate and as it came to a halt, the three women prepared to make their grand entrance. It was then that a great sense of panic overcame Danae when she realized that they were now here, facing the numbers that didn’t add up. “Something isn’t right.” Danae blurted out as her eyes darted wildly between the other women, “Mother, please. Can’t you see it?” She practically begged, letting her plead to go home slide underneath her words.

It fell on deaf ears.

Chara instantly dismissed her sister’s concerns with a curt, “Oh would you just quit it? You and your stupid worries.” Shaking her head, the eldest Stravos child left the carriage with Circenia close behind. Danae took her usual place at the rear, her legs shaking underneath the long chiton. With her concerns dismissed, Danae fell into her usual silence as the family climbed the steps. The Stravos girl looked around as other noblewomen began to arrive.

“Agathe!” Chara called out when she caught sight with their Marikas cousins -- and soon to be Danae’s nieces. As the Marikas clan climbed the steps, Danae made a beeline to the cousin she was closest to, Daniil. It was typical for the girls to pair off like this, but instead of disappearing to other corners of the manor like the girls normally would, they were forced to all stand together in a strange sort of circle of the two families.

Wanting to get the obvious out of the way quickly, Danae turned to her favorite cousin due to their similar personalities, “I don’t want to be here. Please tell me he’s already inside.” She whispered under her breath as she tried to be interested in whatever the others were talking about. Hopefully, Daniil would know she was talking about her uncle and Danae’s fiance. She desperately didn’t want to see Rafail. That could be the only way this day could be any worse.

“I can’t believe they’re making me do this…” Danae said trailing off at the end. Hopefully, she could find an ally in her cousin, but who knew? Everything was already so topsy-turvy, she doubted there was anything else that could throw her for a loop.

Was it bad that she was already counting down the minutes until she could go home?

Daniil came to a stop next to her eldest sister and she took a moment to look around and see who was there that she knew. She spied Cyrene and her smile widened, though unlike her sister, Daniil's smile was much more relaxed and genuine. She gave her long time friend a look that said that they needed to catch up with each other and then followed her when she moved over to speak the their aunt and cousins. And like her Agathe she smiled and it was much more relaxed then the norm.

Daniil looked around taking time to take everything in. She had been to caught up in her own thoughts of Linos and daydreaming of the future to totally focus on things like politics. Her head was plenty full of worry over her own future. She knew beyond a doubt that the there was a power shift coming within her own line. She was not exactly amused by it but being a woman she had no say in the matter, even if she disliked it.

She fought to keep her smile in place as she heard a familiar voice calling her sister away. The voice belonged to none other then her cousin Chara. She watch the pair go off and then instinctively looked around for he normal partner in crime and cousin, Danae.

"Yeah he's with Grandfather. Mind if I join you on the skiff called I don't want to be here." Daniil replied back with a knowing grin. Like her cousin she did her best to appear interested in the chatter of the day.

Daniil reached over and set a gentle hand on Danae's arm. She lifted her hand and then moved her hand into the folds of her gown. Feeling the small bag slide into her hand she smiled slightly. I wonder if Uncle Rafi has noticed yet? she thought as she fingered the bag. Inside the back was a necklace that by rights, belonged to Danae, and she was going to see it returned to her because she could not fathom why Rafi had it in the first place unless he was going to cause an issue by having it, and she did not put it past him to do so just so that she was the center of attention.

She let out a his as one of the many spear like points poked her hand. The necklace in question was a finely worked gold and ruby affair, the chain was worked in a long strand of links that reminded Daniil of bubbles. On either side were ten golden tear drops with a flawless ruby inside so that the only gold visible was a mere outline to the gem.

She slid her hand over and then tapped her cousin with the bag through a fold in her gown that was blocked from sight unless one was right on top of them.

Simply put, Iris felt anxious. Nauseous, even. There was so much riding on this vote, and for her friend, no less. It was no secret that Iris of Argyris was fond of or even close to the Princess Persephone. Nor was it a secret that both Takis of Argyris and Minas of Xanthos had been close friends and allies for a number of years. In generations past, when Argyris had been much larger, they had been a house to befriend. A house to ally with. Now, Iris' father had simply made an ally where he had found one.

Being similar in age to the King had likely played somewhat of a role in the friendship, but there was something more there. Something Takis had never divulged to his daughter. That said, Iris was only put at ease knowing that both the King and her father held a strong front with one another. The royal bloodlines were not the only ones voting at this Senate meeting.

Iris was sure that many families had forgotten that.

Hands pressed against her abdomen as if to give her core the strength she needed to move around, Iris found herself drifting away from the sidelines and moving to mingle with some of the ladies that had finally touched down at the senate. Takis had asked her to make nice prior to settling into their own carriage and she found herself remiss to deny his requests. Any request.

Keeping a straight face and betraying absolutely nothing of her own feelings toward the senate vote, Iris gave a soft smile to a few of the ladies. Her gaze settled on Cyrene for a long moment, giving a courteous nod toward the lady. Though she made no move to hold a conversation.

------------------

Takis had situated himself in the midst of the senate, keeping his gaze cast about. He observed everything, including his King and his Princess. Meeting the man's gaze, he gave a very slight nod of affirmation, remaining pulled in to himself. Poised. He knew what he was voting for, but he also knew that this couldn't be the end of it.

Observing the Princess as she was called up to give her take on the Stravos matter, the Argyris man crossed his arms over his chest, brow furrowed in concentration. In this situation, he'd have to think about how Iris would react. All of the work done for Aetaea had her fingerprints on it, and he would not mess up all of her work just to give his own.

He was an ailing man and she would soon be the baroness of Aetaea. His choices were not his own, but he knew she'd support Xanthos and Antonis to the very end.

The doors of the Senate were kept open upon Persephone's entrance. Previously they had been open and closed for each passing noble - for there were some already seated within the room. Upon her arrival, however, they were kept agape for she was the last piece to be actually required before the Senate could be opened. She and Lord Votis at least. For it would be Votis that handled the ceremonies of the afternoon and she who would speak on behalf of her father as and when it was needed and should he require the aid.

The King had been ill for many months by this point and Persephone had been acting as his spokesman, alongside the Chief Advisor, within the Senate for the last few meets. It would be to no-one’s surprise that she would continue to do so, supporting her father from his side rather than in his stead. As a member of the immediate royal family she was as permitted to attend the Senate as any nobleman there, despite her shared gender being the cause for all other nobles to be kept outside. Emilia could have attended should she wished, for the same reason, but the Xanthos family had collectively decided it was best to keep their youngest from the politics of today. They did not want for it to seem as if the Xanthos family had moved out on mass, nor that Emilia had any part in the arrangements due to be carried out...

With the doors opened, others followed her into the Senate in her wake, realising immediately that the presence of herself and Lord Votis signified the beginning of the congregation and eager to not miss the opening statements when Lord Votis heralded them to the issues of the day.

It took a few minutes for all of the men within the room to find their seats and another few minutes for the idle chatter and greetings between them to dull from a general conversation to murmured whispers. Persephone sat and bore all without reaction or movement; a pretty statue supporting the King from his right hand side.

Once the Senate was fully in attendance and had settled themselves, it was clear how groups and loyalties were divided. Many barons sat with their vassal House, while others sat with their blooded family. There were those who sat alone, those who sat staunchly with arms folded, as if in rebellion at the very idea of such a legislative matter to be even suggested before the nobility. Others looked more eager and interested, leaning slightly forwards on their seat, enthusiastic in their very demeanour. Persephone tried to memorise those who looked such for future reference.

Swallowing and sending a prayer up to Athenia, Persephone watched with an expressionless face as Lord Votis stepped down from the steps her had been standing upon and moved into the central demi-sphere that was the open speaker's mount and raised both arms.

Familiar with this turn of events, all of the nobles in attendance immediately fell silent.

Most usually in this situation, Lord Votis would declare the Senate open with a few murmurs and comments as his back drop. This time, however, the silence was almost uncomfortable, the tension in the air palpable. It felt like almost a surprise when Lord Votis began in on normal affairs of state. Many in the room had likely been so distracted with the particular vote all knew to be coming at the end of this session of the Senate, that they had forgotten the day to be a normal Senate meet, at all. There would be other discussions, other issues to be had at this meeting. Issues between barons and provinces, disagreements between royal families. There were many in the Senate that day who had no issues to raise and no qualms to be settled; who were only in attendance for one particular issue - the last slated for the afternoon. But the vote on her father’s proposed legislation was simply one occurrence, one issue to be raised among many.

Persephone could understand their eagerness though. It was rare that a form of business was brought to the Senate in which a vote was both decisive and irrefutable. In all other areas of politics, the Senate could voice their opinions, make their perspectives known and, therefore, make clear the challenges or issues a monarch would raise if their feelings were ignored. But at the end of the day, the King was the king, and could do that which he wished. On the very rare occasion, however, that changes were proposed in regard to the King himself; to his power, his legacy, his legitimacy or his inheritance… that was when a Senatorial decision was offered to the people. For while the King had every birthright to decide the fate of the kingdom, he did not have the right to decide the fate of future monarchs.

That would be down to the collective people of the nobility.

And as this was the first time a Senatorial vote held decisive power is many years - decades even - it was understandable that the men within the room had their attentions firmly placed on the far end of the meeting, before it had even started.

With a blink at the sound of Lord Votis’ voice, Persephone drew her thoughts back to the moment at hand with an internal chastisement. Today was too important to allow her thoughts to be bogged down in legislative detail. Aimias had poured over the documents for weeks. There was no need for concern now. Nervousness would only get in the way of what was to come...

"My Lords of the Senate of Athenia..." Lord Votis became with those arms wide and his smile strong, before he let his limbs subside and his fingers knit themselves together in front of his small paunch. "We have a few different affairs to be mediated this day, so please get comfortable." He offered a small smile at the informal phrase.

And then he proceeded with the basics...

There was a land border dispute between an Antonis and Stravos province... there was a rather serious accusation through between two lower noble families, insulting the reputation of a young daughter. There was a similar such insult against Lord Rafail that was silenced very quickly by Lord Pavlos (a fairly common occurrence within the Senate - Persephone wasn't sure why the nobles even bothered anymore, for Rafail's reputation was obvious and his brother's even more impressive for covering for him every time). There was a taxation confirmation for one of the provinces on the outer edges of Athenian land...

Each and every time, the noble or lord who had an issue to be raised, rose from their chair, descended the steps to the floor that Lord Votis then gave up and the debates were handled from there. The accuser said his piece, Lord Votis directed the floor to other nobles who stood from their seats and spoke. Lord Votis negotiated, mediated and controlled the debate between the two and then - if and when a resolution could not be settled between them themselves, he turned to the King for a final decision. After which the nobles in question returned to their seats. The entire process was lengthy and Persephone felt her neck aching and her back growing stiff as she continued to sit regally with her heavy crown in place. She glanced sideways a few times at her father who appeared to be doing the same thing.

It was then that she watched him very slightly - so slight that no-one more than ten feet away would be able to see, patted the arm of his throne with the flats of his fingers. Almost like magic, Persephone felt the tension leave her limbs and the nervousness that had eaten away at her stomach all morning immediately cease. It was a sign between the two of them. Had been for years.

Back when Persephone had first entered into the Senate, she had been nervous. She had reached for her father's hand when she had been asked to speak - more on instinct than anything else. She had only been thirteen years of age. He had said nothing in the moment in order to not draw attention to the instance of weakness. But later - once the Senate had cleared and he could speak frankly, the king had told Persephone not to show her feelings so much.

"The Senate is a formal proceeding." He had told her. "In it, you are not Persephone. You are the princess. And to show emotion in that way only highlights you as my daughter, not as a regal role."

Persephone had been disappointed in letting her father down, so Minas had offered a compromise. He had hopped back up the stairs - agile in his middle aged years - taking her with him by the hand and sat them both back down in their thrones, facing the empty Senate hall. He had tapped his fingers just so on the arm of his throne.

"Do you see, my daughter?" He had asked her. "If I do this, I am patting your hand." He told her. "Just imagine I'm offering the comfort you seek..."

Now, as the final lord with his trivial matter moved back up the steps to take his seat, Persephone smiled and tapped - oh so gently - the arm of her chair. She felt, more than saw, her father smile back.

They had not made such gestures in years.

All of the initial matters of the Senate had not required either Persephone or her father to speak. This was quite normal. Most of the disputes in the Senate were able to be conducted without royal interference and words were only expected from the monarch or his representative when situations became sticky or the law of the land was unclear and requiring an objective party to decide. For the king was the most objective in the land - he was synonymous with Athenia, and not with any House or loyalties.

The piece of business that Persephone knew to be coming, however, would most certainly require the king’s personal comments due to its severity, and Persephone felt herself tense back up as Lord Votis handled each of the smaller matters of state between the nobles, before turning to introduce Lord Aimias to the floor.

"Next, we have a concern that has been raised regarding the whole of Athenia..." Votis began. “Lord Aimias, Advisor to the King has requested to speak before the Senate and King on a matter of great importance.”

Persephone took a calming breath at a slow and deliberate pace so that the rise of her chest would not be seen by those in the stands and looked upon as a sign of nervousness. She felt her heart squeeze and her spirit seem to jump from her body, headed straight for Lord Aimias, who had appeared at the main doors, perfectly timed for his entrance… as if she wanted to imbrew him with any confidence or strength she could offer.

It was painful to sit and watch as Aimias made his way calmly down the stairs, towards the main dais of the room in order to make his statement. A few steps behind him followed Captain Lukos of the Aceton. Neither seemed nervous and Persephone hoped she was offering the same calm appearance on her own features. Remaining in her seat as the figurehead she was supposed to be, removing herself from the discussions below, Persephone watched as Lord Aimias reached the open space before the tiered seating and opened his mouth to address the Senate…

Here were more orders being hefted on him than had been done in the last ten years. And yet, he didn’t chafe under them. He understood that in doing what Persephone asked of him, and in reciting the oath that Lord Aimias was teaching him, he would reach his goal. That was all he wanted. Whatever he had to do to make it through today he would do - intent on an end goal that would make bending his knee to Persephone worth it.

More than that, it was imperative to his own person that Elias lost. If he did not, life would be unpleasant for as long as he breathed it. There would be nowhere Stravos was not willing to chase him. For that reason alone, even above Thalia, he had to ensure that this was done correctly and to the best of his ability. After all - as the advisor said - he might have been a “lowly” pirate in the eyes of the stuffed up nobles in the next room, but - ironically - he would be the one telling the truth today.

When he finally repeated the oath to Lord Aimias’s satisfaction, the lord then went over what to say and how to say it. When Lord Aimias got to the part about “Just here to do good,” Lukos rolled his eyes.

“I’m not here to ‘do good’.” He did not operate within the limitations of ‘good’ or ‘bad’. Not when there was money to be made. It was a matter of how much coin would it take to get him to ignore the more unpleasant sides of life. He did not kill people because he enjoyed it. There was no pleasure in watching another ship sink. There was, however, quite a bit of thrill to win, to spend the money he’d made on whatever he wanted. To hold life and death in his hands and walk away victorious.

This was one of those things.

“I’ll say what you want, when you want it.” he said flatly as Lord Aimias finished speaking. Despite maintaining a calm exterior, his palms were sweating. To him, the lord named Aimias looked passive, docile, unperturbed. While he leaned against the wall with his arms tightly crossed simply to keep himself from pacing about the room like a caged animal.

Inside this room, they could hear voices but catch only the odd word from what was going on inside the main building. But soon it was time to go. Together, the two of them walked through the corridors until they stood shadowed in a side doorway. From here he had a limited view of the sunlit interior. Men rose up around the whole of the building, talking amongst themselves while Lord Votis spoke to the room.

He wasn’t listening. His eyes were jumping from one man to the next in the stands, picking out the ones he knew and ignoring the ones he didn’t. Some of the men staring down were easily as much a threat to the princess as Stravos and worse but with less ambition.

Breathing out, he forced himself to be present. This was all so outside his scope of experience but at least none of the men inside were armed. It wasn’t as if standing there would get him immediately killed. It was what came after this that mattered.

When Lord Aimias was called forward to address the Senate, he followed him inside and down the stairs to the main floor. He kept his distance, and remained quiet before taking a step to one side. This showmanship was not his style and he gave Aimias to the floor. If all of Athenia was about the hate the man for his next words, Lukos would prefer to be as much out of the firing line as he could. He was already in hot water just from being here.

When Lord Aimias had said his piece and turned to him, he squared his shoulders and took three steps forward so he was more central to the dais, the light from the opening in the ceiling, streaming down over him. He did not look around for Elias. Instead he kept his eyes on the people he knew actually wanted him here and wanted to hear what he had to say. It was easier to focus on Lord Aimias as the two stood before the Senate, the royal thrones behind them and the nobility of Athenia in front.

“I am Lukos of Magnemea,” he looked directly at Lord Aimias but spoke to the room at large. Some shifted in their seats, confused as to why a known pirate was in their midst. He was a no one. Or, at least his name was not spoken during daylight hours. Only in back corners when one or the other of the barons desired things that were not necessarily legally obtainable.

After he stated his name, he was guided to the font that was carved into the wall beneath the royal thrones. As he had been prepared by Lord Votis before Persephone’s arrival, Lukos dipped his fingertips into the water offered and then tapped said fingers to his forehead. a short pause spiraled out as his gaze drifted to Lord Aimias. His dark eyes bored into him as he willed himself to remember the oath. Something about speaking the truth...or be struck down by the gods...or something….

Whispers started but all at once, he began reciting it as though Lord Aimias was inside his head…

”I pledge now the truth of my words before Apollo and the loyalty of my intent before Athena. May the Gods punish me and the Underworld take me should my actions not meet my vowed words.”

There were no slip ups. Nothing but the pause to indicate that he was not in his element. His stance was rigid but nothing more betrayed him. He did not sway or fidget, and swiped his fingers across his brow and lips.

Moving back to the center of the speaker’s dais and turning back to address the hall, Lord Aimias asked him to confess his sins against the kingdom.

In short, clipped sentences, he described how, in the last three months, he had attacked and sunk every vessel he could find that bore the coat of arms of any Athenian family.

“Not just the Athenian ones,” he continued. “If I came across one from Taengea or Colchis, I sank those as well.”

His words sparked a tension in the room that was so thick he could feel it pressing into his skin. Not to mention the daggers being glared at him from every angle. But the room stayed quiet, as Aimias had predicted. The men in the room were about law and order. They knew it was Aimias’ turn to speak now - sometimes through Lukos’ for evidence, but always his.

”Why did you commit these acts of murder and treason?” Aimias asked, structuring Lukos’ testimony as was most efficient for him and his point.

”I was paid to do so. I was given two chests of gold when the arrangement was made. And I am still to be paid the rest, once enough ships have gone missing.”


”How did this arrangement, as you call it, begun. Did you seek out your employer?”

”No.” he answered firmly. ”He sought me.”

Again, in short and clipped sentences - relying on fact- he described receiving the missive instructing him to come to a private harbor. As soon as he named the province Lyncestia as the location of the meet - a province owned by the Stravos family - harsh realisation started to override the nobility’s restraint and murmurs and grumbles erupted around the room.

Aimias raised a hand. Lukos waited.

When it was quiet again, the two continued…

He went over the single meeting they’d had, explaining that it was under the cover of darkness and that the goal of such a meeting was to sink every ship he came into contact with until he was informed to stop - and to leave no survivors.

”Do you have the letter?” Aimias asked. ”The one arranging this meeting?”

When Lord Votis had called forwards his Advisor to speak, Elias's frown had deepened as he watched the man step forward and begin a turn of events that, within the next few minutes would snowball, his mind's cogs running as he tried to assess the situation, bringing to the forefront of his mind, everything he had arranged to fall in place for today's events. As Aimias started to reveal details of a plan he had made months ago - one that was punishable by death if it was ever found out - something he had had no intention of ever happening, Elias felt his chest hollow out.. The uproar when the accusation was made - so far without blame or place - had him gripping his hands into fists so tight, his knuckles paled. But he did not say a word. It was preposterous. Their accusation would never stand. They didn’t have to evidence for it to be considered even worthy of the Senate’s time. No trial would be called for. They had no proof.

But apparently they did.

The words 'evidence 'had him looking up, his look of confidence suddenly faltering. Where would said 'evidence' have come about? Whoever had been hired had been duly warned on pain of death, and -

Lukos.

As the din grew in the Senate upon Aimias's summoning of an apparent pirate, Elias turned his hard grip from his own hands to the barrier before him, gripping its edges hard. Ire had stirred within the young heir, his porcelain beauty now looking almost like hardened marble upon his pale complexion. The glare was icy as it was directed once at the advisor, and then shifting directly to the two royals on their throne. For while Xanthos’ name had never been mentioned here, there was no way Advisor Aimias had just magically discovered this information. Only to present it at the same Senate meet that would decide the fate of the throne. There were Xanthos fingers in this plot, somewhere. How dare they try and one up him.

As the pirate Elias faintly remembered from their brief exchange took the stage, the young Stravos's eyes were beyond deadly as he glared at the pirate. Had Lukos met Elias's gaze then, he would've known fear right where he stood, for the blond male's looks went beyond calling for death and torture. The more the pirate spoke, the more wound up Elias's form was, and those who sat next to him would see. It was to the young heir's luck that those seated next to him were loyal to him, yet even they seemed to question why Elias was getting more and more wound up the further Lukos got into his description. 'I had said no survivors.' the male hissed. If he could, he wanted to wring the pirate's neck himself. Curse him for his stupidity.

And curse himself for his forgetting to ensure Lukos's silence in the matter. He should've seen to it himself once the current Athenian monarchy had been discredited enough. He shouldn’t have waited. He had figured that since Lukos had remained loyal in his objectives for the last few months he would continue to do so. That he could continue to ensure the detriment of the Xanthos House as more and more ships were destroyed. So far, politically, all that had occured was the Colchian prince coming to discuss the loss of a particular ship. A few more months and international politics would have started to fray and fall apart. It would have been to the utter discredit of the current ruling body. What in the hell had occurred that had suddenly changed the side Lukos was working for?

When a letter was produced and passed to the king, Elias almost felt his chest freeze. That was certainly his fault. Curse himself to the Gods, he should have taken that missive back from Lukos upon meeting it and burnt it to ash. He never thought it would still be in existence. Who ever heard of a pirate who kept his paperwork in order?

The lord had a minute craning of his neck, as if that would enable him to see across many rows of lords to see the writing on the letter - wishful thinking of course, but an instinctive move any how. As the King spoke, every nerve of Elias was on alert. He could not come up with a solution, nor any sort of ending to this, no thanks to the cursed pirate who Elias should have disposed of to begin with anyway.

The moment the King confirmed of his name, and all eyes swivelled as if of one accord to his handsome features, Elias had instantly arranged his features to one of serene calmness, the self-confident smile back in place. As Votis strode towards his section, the male stood up, a small dip of his head to acknowledge the approach of the lord. He did not speak immediately, no. Instead, Elias turned his piercing gaze to Persephone and Minas, the sharp piercing gaze holding theirs for a moment that seemed to stretch.

He nodded to confirm Lord Votis’ query and then, with all the confidence he had been devoutly given, Elias opened his mouth to deliver some evidence of his own, but was immediately silenced by the heavy hand of his father, who slammed the palm to his shoulder and made it very clear that, were Elias to say a word, as yet, the man would murder him where he stood. Elias felt the bottom of his stomach drop to his toes. Inwardly fuming, he simply turned to watch the rest of the horror as it unfolded.

When Aimias turned to seek guidance from the king, Persephone continued to remain quiet, turned to watch her father as he leaned to one side in his throne, elbow on its arm and hand beneath his chin. He tapped a long finger against his lips in thought for how to continue. For while he had been aware that this issue was to be raised, Aimias and Persephone had limited his knowledge of how it would be presented and the detail that would be offered. It benefitted no-one within the hall for the King to either be, or appear to be, biased or previously swayed. His reaction had to be organic and real to his own morals.

”This is evidence of a serious crime.” The King began calmly, his voice a little thin but firm in his word choice and the determination with which he spoke each utterance. ”But there is still more to be had, also. I intend for these warships to be found and the payment that you claim to have received, Captain Lukos, brought before the royal reviewers. One man’s word, no matter the evidence that supports it, is not sufficient for a condemnation if this were to be put before a trial this day.”

Persephone watched as Aimias nodded his head, his expression calm as the King confirmed all that Aimias had said already.

The King’s frown became deeper.

”But in view of the evidence presented so far, this accusation is serious enough to warrant one.” King Minas concluded, and Persephone let out a slow breath of relief. Her father must have felt the atmosphere in the room and the evidence presented enough for warrant his decision. She and Aimias had done their job well… ”A trial will be affixed and arranged in which you will stand against these accusations, Lord Elias.” The King determined, staring down upon the man from his throne.

”But in the meantime, these concerns are not to be taken lightly nor ignored until such a time that a trial can be held. A traitor within the tapestry of our legal system will have the entire piece unravel before time can confirm their guilt or innocence. If these allegations are true, Lord Elias, you have tarnished the name, economies and noble position of every man in this room. I will not stand for such treason.”

Persephone watched as the king turned his gaze towards Elias, who had been slowly losing the colour in his face a shade at a time. Whether this was because of her father’s gaze solely or due to that of the crowds of men in the room who were now gazing down upon the Stravos family, their vision seering, no doubt, into the backs of their heads. Many of those gazes had, Persephone was thankful to see, turned highly suspicious or just out right damning.

And she could not blame them. The letter, the banner… the confirmation of said warships leaving the docks of Athenia and not returning in their normal monthly cycle. The fact that Elias had never made any quiet business of his desire for the throne and his belief that Xanthos rule was to be usurped. His arrogance and reputation would do him no favours in this moment.

”Before I pass judgement on how to proceed between now and said judicial proceedings, do you have anything to say at this time that you would like on record, Lord Elias.”