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.
His steps were sure, firm as they fell in a steady rhythm bringing him up the pathway through the courtyard that surrounded the Senate building. Around him, Elias could feel the whispers and eyes on him. But whether they be in support of him or against the motion however, Elias had no interest in knowing. What and who was important to the vote was all already within the chambers, or on their way in. It was their opinion that mattered most, and everyone else can shove off as far as the Stravos heir cared. His eyes barely glanced at anyone else as he walked flanked by his guards. It was not till a familiar voice hailed at him.
The title 'brother' was not something he offered to many. While he was not close to either of his sisters, they were technically allowed by blood to use that. Too often had he conversed with Chara and Danae, and had them use that in reference to him in a highly irritated or frustrated tone. That, Elias was used to. The owner of this voice however, held a different position. Rafail of Marikas was as close of a friend as he'd consider if one would consider someone a friend simply because they shared similar taste in drinks and women. Namely, not picky at all.
A brief, almost nonchalant smile curved his lips upwards as Rafail jogged nearer, nodding at his friend's greeting, with a once-over of the Marikas lord's attire. "Well dressed as ever, Rafail." His position was still that of a poised, regal royal member, merely turning to glance at his friend from the corner of his eye, accepting the bow with a simple look of acknowledgment. "We shall see. Although should the assistance from your end, I should definitely look into it." A light laugh underlined his jest of words, as he turned and started his way to the Senate chambers again, in a manner that obviously showed Rafail should come along with him. He briefly caught sight of Keikelius arriving, but Elias merely shot his father a look of confidence as he entered. He had chatted with his parents before regarding his plans. Elias had no thoughts of them failing.
Stravos's were bound for glory, and he'll see that true. He had assured his father of that, and Keikelius had also reminded him again by note before Elias had left the Stravos household. He could not fail.
Entering the inner sanctum of the Dikasitrio, the hall was not entirely silent, but neither was it chaotic. There was a quiet hum in the air of intelligent conversations between nobles and royals who mayhaps have not met each other for quite some time. The conversation consisted much of updates and discussions of what was to be tabled for the day at the meet. Yet the tense air remained hanging in the air, the elephant in the room no one seemed to be daring enough to discuss. Ignoring most of their presence, Elias instead made his way straight to the vassals of his house, making talk with them and ensuring their vote once more. He was leaving nothing to chance. Nothing.
"I shall see you later, brother. Work commences." he murmured, a half smile quirking his lip as his gaze slipped over Rafail, just as Persephone stepped into the circular space. The throne set in the center was in a position where everyone seated around the speaker podium would be able to see the reactions of the royals seated there, flanked by their advisors and guards. His eyes remained zeroed in on her, almost as if he wanted to make her uncomfortable by pure staring whilst she made her way to her throne. Without taking his eyes off, Elias made the familiar trek to his seat above the nobles of the Stravos lands, taking his seat. Ensuring the snowy material of his chiton was unsooted, the proud male adjusts any stray strands of hair, pushing them in place, before he straightened up again, confidence and arrogance oozing out of his every pore.
Even as he sat after giving his father a respectful nod whilst the rest of the subjects were tabled by Lord Votis, Elias did not lounge. Every muscle was to attention as his gaze roamed, his mind running. He noted the reactions of each noble, their body language in regards to the sight of the weakened king seated next to a proud, arrogant looking princess who had no place at all in a place where the Senate convened. A hall of men was what it should be, and how it should remain.
Sitting up a little straighter, Elias frowned as his eyes briefly flickered to the princess. She was gorgeous, that much Elias agreed. Yet there was a reason why women were beautiful - to be kept in the households, servicing their betters in gender and supremacy in intellect. Elias had never once believed a female could run the kingdom, and he was unlikely to start now. Even her supposed betrothed looked too soft to run a kingdom -and Elias would die before he allowed the reins of Athenia to be handed over to a Taengean born second-rate lord who had diluted royal blood running in his veins.
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…
The younger advisor had little to do with the man he had been left with. For the most part, Votis had handled any interactions with him for the sake of Persephone. It was his job, had always been his job, to keep the King informed on what he knew of the man. So while Votis and Diomedes had been put in charge of keeping an eye on the man, Aimias had quietly put an ear to the ground to find out the make of the man who was standing in front of him.
Most of his history had been rumors, whispers of blur facts that very few people could accurately clear for him. It was difficult to tell which dastardly deeds he had done and which were pure fiction to make him seem more fierce that he truly was. But, as he began to take rumors and decipher them with the facts he could find, it was more apparent that while his upbringing had been unorthodox, his teen years spent in the ownership of one of the most ruthless men he’d ever read about, Lukos had turned into a man of principles.
They may not have been the same as everyone else, but he seemed to have a far more ethical code of conduct than those he had once kept in his council.
But what struck Aimias the most telling trait of the man had been his own actions. When he could have simply left the kingdom with his revelations, he stayed at the appeal of land. For a man who spent his whole life wandering, he wanted a place to call home as much as the next. He wanted the prosperity that would come with the title. He wanted a place in the world, beyond the life he had to spend years creating. And he wished to have a life of meaning on his terms, judging by the way he had insisted on obtaining the hand of Thaila of Nikolaos in the process.
Bridges burned to build others. A dangerous diplomatic strategy, to be sure.
He had cautioned the king against too many rifts at one time. But, as he fondly pointed out to his youngest advisor, he did not have much time to be polite. Too many egos within the mix. Minas needed to be frank, and he needed to stop coddling those who did not wish for the success of the kingdom.
And they all knew that any success for Athenia would not come at the hands of Elias.
So they were trusting a man, who knew that prison was just as likely as a barony. Gods help them all.
The man was blunt, a trait that Aimias was personally fond of. He preferred a straightforward approach in life-- it was easier to deal with someone when they seemed to forgo pleasantries to get down to the point. He didn’t bother in trying to pacify the man, instead focusing on what needed to be done. ”The oath is a simple enough one, so long as you don’t forget what to say.” He detailed the oath, helping the man memorize the order of the words, repeating them with him a few times before moving on.
”For your testimony, you are fortunate enough that you don’t have to worry about opinions getting in the way. Stick to the facts. They will wonder why you’ve decided to testify and we will want to note that you’ve been given clemency for your testimony. Men won’t believe that you are here simply because you wish to do good. They will want vengeance for the ships you did sink. But they are all men of reason-- they should be able to see the greater victory in bringing down the one who paid you to do so.” He relaxed in the hidden area, his focus on making sure the man knew what he had to say.
Aimias didn’t feel the need to speak as to what was on the line.
And perhaps that was why Aimias, regardless of his past, had a bit of respect for the man. He had every chance to double-cross them, had every chance to put the cards in Elias’ hand and leave. Instead, for his own reasons, he decided to stay and honor his word. Most men, with a past as he had, wouldn’t have thought twice about it. But he took a chance in hopes to avoid what all men feared-- imprisonment-- all for a place at the table. ”We want to discredit Elias, focus on the underhanded way in which he planned to take the throne. We are accusing this man of treason, a serious offense. We need to make sure that we do it properly, leaving no doubt when the King’s only option is to seize Stravos’ assets. You are a frank man. Avoid insults. Avoid opinions. And you will be fine. From everything I have heard within the court, most men believe that Elias would do whatever it takes to be King, no matter the will of the Gods or the cost to the people. We’re just proving an already well-known reputation.”
He could hear the commotion coming from the adjacent room, meaning the meeting was well underway. Men discussing smaller issues, ones that were brought to the general populace for this reason-- to make sure everyone knew of the resolution while setting up past precedence for future rulings. At the sound of his name, he looked back to Lukos. “That’s our cue. Remember, facts. Not disgust. I will talk to you when I am ready and lead you from there. Be silent until then”
Stepping out of the door and into the room, Aimias was well aware that this was one of the first times he was to speak formally to the room. Everyone was well acquainted with him, knew him to be a man of sound judgment and level-headedness, so there was no hushed whisper as he took the room. He made his way down to the floor, Lukos following his instructions and silently following a few meters behind, where his eyes met that of Votis for the briefest moment. His mentor knew he was nervous, but stood proudly as he knew that no one was better for the job than Aimias. While he was loyal to the crown, the young father was also loyal to the kingdom. He gathered facts with no sway by opinions and seemed to present them simply as they were.
It made the most sense for him to be the one to do it, even if he didn’t feel ready to do so. The House of Xanthos had to be kept entirely clear of any involvement with this matter.
There was no clearing of his throat, no hesitation as he began. “I am Aimias of Chaopia, advisor to the King and to the people of Athenia.” His voice carried through the room, which would have caused surprise to those who knew him. While not necessarily soft-spoken, he was not known for his oration. “As such, it has been brought to my attention that a grievous act has been committed against every single family within these walls.”
He gave the crowd a moment to quiet their whispered questions before he pressed on. “I have evidence against one of you in this room, in the deliberate and traitorous sinking of Athenian ships-” The uproar of his accusations was almost immediate, but that was to be expected with what he had to tell them. Accusing one of their own of damaging the Kingdom in a treasonous act? That was not something to be processed in a moment. The advisor didn’t call for quiet, didn’t beg the men to let him continue. No, his blues eyes just stared at the crowd, eyebrow raised. It was obvious that he had more to say. He refused to speak over them, and while it took a moment for them to quiet down, they did.
”... as well as the deliberate attack on foreign vessels, threatening our treaties with our neighboring nations.” He finished the accusation, his words turning everyone deadly quiet.
“This evidence comes from the man who, sadly, sank the ships himself. However, the King has offered the man clemency for these heinous crimes in order for the truth to be brought to light. While you may be inclined to deny the truths he speaks, the evidence in which he brings should be enough to change your minds in the matter. After all, this is not just a matter of lost profits, my friends. This is a matter of treason.”
He let that sink in for a moment. Anyone in the room would have considered him a man who could have owned a stage. He turned to glance at the man who had been standing quietly at the far side of the dais. “Therefore, I call forth Captain Lukos of Magnemea to give his oath of truth before the Gods themselves and offer his testimony in this matter.”
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 Lukos confirmed that he did, in fact, have the letter in question, the tension in the room grew more poignant. For, up until now, the words Lukos had given were simply that. Words. And while he had vowed to the Gods to ensure that his words were truthful, no accusation could be upheld based solely on verbal statements. So, when a piece of parchment was produced by Lukos and handed over into the waiting palm of Lord Aimias, a ripple of anxiety travelled around the room like the expanding circles on a disturbed pond.
The Advisor, upon accepting the potentially damning evidence, moved to immediately hand the item to Lord Votis - through whom all evidence was passed within the Senate. Lord Votis then mounted the steps behind him in order to move to the left side of Persephone’s father and the King perused the letter.
Persephone and her father had, of course, already seen the letter, having associated with Lukos before, but they each read it in turn as was appropriate for the circumstance. When her father was ready to speak, Persephone handed the parchment back to him, to have to hand. The King spoke in a loud but thin voice - one that carried to all sides of the room but also indicated his failing health. Persephone was, thankfully, able to restrain her wince.
”I can confirm, Lords of the Senate, that this letter states exactly as the witness contends. This letter arranges a meet between Lukos of Magnemea and a member of the Athenian Senate.” The king paused in his speech in order to take several deep breaths.
Smoothly, so as not draw attention away from the King’s moment of weakness, Lord Votis stepped in…
”Might I ask, my King, that you confirm the seal and signature at the bottom of this letter. Which member of the Senate, exactly, arranged for this encounter?” Lord Votis pointedly remarked, continuing the planned script they had prepared in order to present the information to the Senate correctly and fairly.
Minas appeared to require a moment, his face sorrowful - his own sister, after all, was married into the family he was about to condemn. But his features firmed up as he turned a defiant eye towards Lord Keikelius and his son, seated to the left and front of the tiers, and spoke to words that all had been expecting to hear since the mention of Lyncestia.
”This letter is signed by Lord Elias of Stravos.” The King confirmed, in a quieter tone this time, but it wouldn’t have mattered. The Senate hall had become so quiet with Lord Votis’ question that a mouse could have provided the answer and be heard at the very back of the room.
With an equally saddened nod of his head, Lord Votis bowed deep, his hands out to request the letter back from his majesty and, upon securing the evidence once more, headed back down the steps towards the speaker’s mound in the centre of the room where he then turned to stride towards the House of Stravos.
”Lord Elias…” Lord Votis commented with a calm and fair tone of voice. ”Can You please confirm for myself and the rest of the Senate that this is, indeed, your crest and seal at the bottom of this letter.”
While this confirmation was unnecessary, given the King had already finalised it, watching Elias’ reaction to the letter was evidence in and of itself as Persephone watched the colour drain from his face before he nodded. Opening his mouth - clearly to speak with angry defiance at the accusation, Persephone watched as Lord Keikelius slammed a hand onto his son’s shoulder. The man’s face was grim incarnate but he had enough reason to know that now was not Elias’ turn, nor place, to speak.
Lord Votis simply stepped back, handed the letter to the scribes table and turned to indicate for Aimias to continue...
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.
Aimias had let Lukos speak freely, only asking questions as clarification was needed, and directing the testimony with a careful but minimal hand. Overall, the pirate did wonderfully. And the crowd was reacting exactly as they had expected. There was outrage, shock and a bit of disbelief. His face was plain, showing that he’d already been aware of this knowledge.
”Were there any further stipulations to this arrangement, Captain Lukos?” Aimias asked, ready to get down to the finer detail for just a moment.
“The only limitation was that I was not permitted to sink anything with the markings of the House of Stravos. I was given the support of two Stravos warships to complete the attacks and I was instructed to run up a Stavros banner when needed, to avoid interference.”
Aimias nodded, encouraging the man to continue.
”I For the past couple of months, with the help of the two warships, I have been doing what I was paid. Though…” and the man glanced at Stravos. “I have occasionally left survivors. I was told I could keep what I wished off of the ships.”
”Do you still have the banner that you were told to fly?” Aimias prompted, his words encouraging Lukos to take the folded piece of fabric that had been tucked into his belt and hand it over to him.
With an act of calm indifference but enough flair to show the colors clearly to the room, Aimias shook out the banner before himself, holding it to ensure that the golden anchor displayed on a bed of deepest burgundy was clear for all to see. Handing the fabric to Lord Votis as he had the letter, there was no need for this piece of evidence to be confirmed by the king. All the room had eyes.
Turning back to the Senate, Lord Aimias offered his concluding words.
”Brought to our attention only days ago, my lords.” He clarified, wanting to make sure that those in the crowd knew that they had not been sitting on this for long. ”We’ve attempted to verify the information as much as possible before presenting it here, for these accusations are grievous indeed.”
He went into detail about the limited investigation they’d gone through, in how they had attempted to locate the missing ships. Aimias had gone to the tavern in which the meeting had taken place, seeking confirmation from anyone there that the meeting had occurred, to which he produced a letter from the tavern owner who had been present. While he described this, he handed both letters to Votis, who would see that they made it to the hands of the king.
After the letters, came to logs from the Athenian harbor to confirm that the two warships in question - which normally checked in for their next load of exports once a month, had been gone from the Athenian harbor for several at a stretch since Ermaios - a glaring break in their schedule.
Each piece of evidence was confirmed by the king, at which point Aimias made clear his inability - so far - to locate the ships themselves or the captains - and that the money Lukos had been paid for his actions was currently offshore and unable to be retrieved before the current Senate meeting.
It was here that he paused. There would be little need for anything else. This was not a trial, no an interrogation of Lord Elias. This was simply an accusation. One that would start the proceedings for a formal investigation and legal process. The evidence being presented simply had to be enough to warrant Aimias’ accusations as worthy of attention; not to prove them true. It had to be enough to get that process underway, instead of his words being discounted as slander.
Such evidence would likely be analyzed and brought into question at a future trial but, for now, it just had to be convincing enough that such a trial was needed.
It was at this point, as Lukos finished offering the details he could at this time, and Aimias offered the results he had from his - so far - limited investigations, that the room started to lose the quiet it had held onto for so long. What started out as whispers quickly rose to anger as the men in the room came to terms with what this information meant. That one of their own had seen to undermining the trade and fortune of Athenia for his own personal gain. It didn’t take a genius to work out that any disaster on the seas of Athenia - both internally and externally between kingdoms - would have a negative impact on the House of Xanthos. A House that all knew to be trying to maintain their rule at the detriment of Stravos. There was no need - nor did Aimias have the right - to offer opinions on why Elias had acted in such a way. But everyone in the room would be able to surmise the same. And they had all been the ones to lose out because of it. They could have thrived in their business dealings without Elias’ interference, and yet money had been lost by all because Elias had wished only for power for his own name and family. The outrage was growing as more and more men came to terms with just how much had been taken from them.
Aimias gave the room a moment to process the information, hoping they would realize just what was going to happen. He raised his hands, refusing to speak over the crowd. As soon as it died down, he continued.”My lords, I understand that there is much to be processed. That we do not wish for this matter to be taken so lightly. You will have your chance to investigate these allegations yourself, to bring evidence to the attention of the Athenian Guard and to a trial hearing in the future. All witnesses and evidence will be open to questioning and discussion at this time. For now, however…”
Aimias turned to look up towards the monarch of the kingdom.
”I ask for the King’s immediate judgment and commanded action on my accusation of treason against Lord Elias of Stravos.” He stated, concluding his part in the proceedings and turning for the King’s decision as was appropriate.
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.”
The blood had drained from his face when the Stravos flag had been shaken out and displayed for all and sunder to see within the Senate. Accusatory looks were tossed in his direction just as much as questions were being whispered. Even the companions had had been seated with now tossed him ambiguous, uncertain looks.
Anyone who was seated on his immediate right and left would've seen the way the blond Adonis tense up. Elias couldn't resist but shoot another scowl at Lukos, a pirate Elias had only dealt with under the hidden alcoves of shadows, on the harbors of Athenia. The Stravos lord knew nothing of the pirate beyond what he had paid him to do. He now questioned how much Persephone or Aimias had paid the pirate to do their bidding. His eyes narrowed, fists clenched by his sides. The betrayal was bitter on his tongue, added on by the fact that House Xanthos probably spent a fortune to convince the pirate to throw his lot in with them, considering Elias had proven himself quite bloodthirsty in his endeavours.
Revenge would come knocking. Retribution would be swift. But later.
For now, he shifted his focus back on the words from the lips of the King, as Minas essentially accused Elias as a traitor to the Athenian kingdom. It was as if he was watching his plans spiral all out of his control, and as it progressed, Elias's anger slowly grew. From the corner of his eye, the young lord carefully took a measured glance at his father, but he did not dare to go further, knowing his father's anger. But now was not the time nor place to give in to it. Instead, he refocused his gaze on the King, just as Minas turned his gaze to him. The head on meeting of eyes had his heart pause for just a brief moment, before the King offered him the chance - finally - to speak.
"So are we to take the words of a pirate as truth, Your Highnesses?" He finally called out in a firm tone that was mildly belied with outrage. His voice rang loud and clear, every bit regal and proper as Persephone had been trying to be so far in the Senate - though admittedly she had said not a word during this particular meet. Finally, she seemed to have learnt her place. If she had the training to be the Queen, Elias himself had been training his whole life to take what was his owed birthright. His tone was tight, eyes ablaze with anger and fury as his voice rang across the cacophony of the hall. "I would like to point out that the Stravos holds many parcels of land throughout Athenia. As compared to the few that the Xanthos has. Along with that, the Stravos family has commercial businesses in almost every Athenian port. Why, pray tell, my fellow Lords of the Senate, would I risk the bounty of my family and my province, by threatening any of the peace negotiations we have with our Grecian allies? To do so would mean the imports and exports of Stravos holdings would be greatly reduced."
At that, he turned to address the rest of the Senate (yet obviously avoiding Keikelius's gaze), sweeping his hands so all that was in attendance could see the handsome Adonis commanding attention. "But as always, jealousy is rampant. There is always the chance of someone framing my innocence. Usually done by the party who stands to lose the most from this Senate meeting." he finished with a slow, deliberate tone.
There was no mistake as to what Elias was implying - that it was House Xanthos who had planned and plotted to destabilize Athenia, and then frame Stravos as a final stake to take the throne away from Elias's grasp. "This is my word against a pirate - any robber could have been hired to steal a Stravos flag, and claim it came from a Stravos warship. Word of mouth cannot be claimed as solid proof, and I demand further witnesses be brought forward before any decisions be made. The Stravos house has been around for many generations as a Dynasteia, and have contributed greatly to the building of Athenian economy - we will not take lightly to being implied as traitors."
Persephone felt rage starting to burn. A feeling she was not altogether familiar with. And yet she seemed to be harbouring it a lot over the last few weeks. First with the gladiator who she refused to name, even in her own head, and now with the miserable excuse of a noble before her. His words came out harried, arrogant… determined to impress upon the Senate that Stravos had more land, that Xanthos were in a weakened position… that people were jealous of both their family and himself specifically to be framing him of all things. Elias was getting desperate and Persephone hoped that it looked that way to the rest of the nobles too. One who was confident in their own innocence did not power play against the current monarch. They did not try to shoo down their importance through childish claims to land that had been given to Stravos simply through the marriage into House Xanthos itself.
Persephone swallowed, determined to speak but knowing that she shouldn’t. Her pragmatism kept her at bay and the King was able to speak without her interference - as it should be.
As was his regal and wise self, Minas of Xanthos have no response or legitimacy to Elias’ claims of the crown’s inferiority. Instead, he simply made short work of his decision, his power evident in his actions over his words.
”Lord Elias, no vows or words are being taken over any other in this room. This is no trial. This is no execution of justice. This is an accusation of treason. Which, even if it were merely words - from anyone - would be taken seriously under any circumstances.”
The king’s voice, for once that day, came out powerful and strong with emotion, but the effect was dimmed slightly when the respected and beloved king started to cough into his hand. The entire Senate - even Elias - was quiet as the shakes and coughing from the regent echoed around the room.
It took every piece of self control that Persephone had to stop herself reaching to him. To stop the comforting gestures that she had been taught years ago only showed weakness. Within a few moments, the king had his words and voice (harsher now from its exertion but still strong) back under control.
”The evidence presented to this Senate, Elias of Stravos is severe and damning. You will be given the chance to stand trial against such allegations. At which time you will be permitted and encouraged to show evidence to support your innocence and will be given the time to arrange such matters.” The king swallowed in order to keep the croak from his tone. ”However, this Senate cannot permit any individual who may be a traitor to his kingdom to be present during the discussions and decisions that promote Athenia’s future. When that individual is the leader of the House, with the well deserved privileges and powers such a role affords, the situation is even more dangerous.”
The king’s brow lowered as he scowled and made his verdict.
”The assets and arrangements of the House of Stravos - including their status as a noble family within Athenia- and the options available to them as such - are hereby suspended until a trial for these allegations can be arranged. Until then, you will be-” The king was forced to pause again as he coughed once more into his hand, his frame bending forward harder this time. Persephone’s brow furrowed just slightly as she restrained her features from wincing, and Lord Votis stepped forwards below with raised arms as the room had started up with noise as soon as the King paused for the breath he couldn’t catch - their reactions to his verdict being allowed to seep through due to his ill health.
When the king returned to his upright position and moved his hand from his mouth to the arm of his throne once more, Persephone’s eyes widened only on instinct instead of beneath her control as she noticed bright crimson in the palm of his hand.
Minas was careful and controlled even in his illness, as he moved his hand so that the palm was always facing his chest or his lap before being placed on the side of his chair. No-one but Persephone - seated right next to him - would notice the stain and crimson liquid that now seeped a little from beneath his fingers.
”- Until then…” The king continued, in a louder tone, the noise of the room dying down as he spoke up again; as if nothing was wrong, despite his heavy breathing. ”The affairs of the House of Stravos will be handled by the stewards of the crown. Lord Elias, you are, until such a time that your innocence is proved, to be under house arrest and your presence no longer permitted in this Senate. You will be given the support of the royal treasury and resources in order to afford and arrange your own defense, but your management of your House and their affairs are no longer yours to command until such a time when it is proved your are entitled to the same power and rights as other men in this room.”
Minas turned his shrewd and discerning gaze towards his advisor Lord Aimias, speaking to the lord rather than the pirate.
”Lord Aimais, escort the witness from the room. He will be supported and protected by the Athenian Guard until the date of the trial. He will attend to bear against questioning at that time.”
Persephone watched, her spirit suddenly energised and her heart pounding as Aimias escorted the pirate captain from the room and the guards that framed the door to the Senate hall marched over, bowed to the Head of the Stravos House and then made clear that they were to escort the man from the room.
Despite his clear intention to say more, Elias was silent as he was instructed and aided in leaving, but Persephone suspected that was less to do with the royal proclamation and more to do with the scowl Lord Keikelius was directing at his son.
One thing was for sure. The die had now been cast. Where it went from here, Persephone just had to hope for favourable results...
Sotiria had arrived to the dikastirio alongside her family members with seats in the senate. She passed a good luck kiss to her husband before he exited their carriage, and squeezed her eldest daughter’s hand for reassurance. Sotiria had insisted her other three daughters remain at home for the day; she didn’t want them drawn into the gossip of the other ladies outside the dikastirio. It would be enough for Sotiria and Lady Lydia to stand outside the assembly in support of House Antonis.
The Lady of House Antonis curtsied to the princess as Persephone passed, as was appropriate. Sotiria may not want the girl no older than her eldest daughter sitting on the throne, but genuflecting was a sign of respect for the crown and Sotiria would not shame her family by failing to recognize the might and authority of the Athenian monarch.
Whispers of the princess’s grace and beauty casually spread between the women outside the assembly, and the jealousy associated with such comments bubbled deep within Sotiria. She was pleased when the princess, admittedly stunning in her looks and poise, had disappeared beyond the door that barred the other noblewomen from entrance.
There was no telling what might happen within the hall this day; Persephone may be Princess this day, but who knew… tomorrow Persephone may be Queen. Lady Lydia seemed to occupy herself with greeting her own circles, but a familiar face of one of Sotiria’s vassals caught her attention. Lady Iris of Argyris. She didn’t seem to be engaging in talk with the other ladies around her, but Sotiria was genuinely concerned for the girl and her family.
She decided to approach the young lady, passing smiles and curt greetings to the other women of the court as she glided toward the one with whom she desired to speak. “Lady Iris?” she asked quietly, gently. “Does your father represent your house today?”
It was a question bearing more concern and care than it may imply. Takis had been ill for some time, and the Antonis House had supported Iris through his failing health as she struggled to take on the responsibilities of governing the barony. No one knew better than Sotiria and Alehandros that the fates were not always kind, and they wanted to give Iris their assistance where they could.
Aetaea was one of the Antonis territories, and Argyris was one of their nobles -- that practically made them family to the Antonis clan. Family stuck together. Sotiria offered Iris a comforting smile.
“Stand a little taller. Posture conveys worry and stress as much as a face,” the royal woman revealed, “Whatever happens beyond those doors today, we must have faith loyalties will not be broken and that the interests of Athenia and our houses will be protected. Right?”
That was what Argyris stood for, was it not? It was a lovely set of ideals and thoughts, at least. Sotiria herself worried about the loyalties of the men within the dikastirio, today of all days. While Alehandros holding a barony right now meant seven votes would come from their territories instead of the usual eight, Sotiria held out hope the Antonis-controlled baronies would support whatever vote Alehandros and Lacides gave; that they would be a united force in the face of all that could tear the kingdom apart.
They all were so very self-pleased with themselves. Understandably, if he were honest; he too would look upon this day with great joy were in their position. It was a masterstroke of betrayal and gamesmanship. They won this round, and even the King seemed to have so much joy at punishing his nephew that he had risen from the grave to speak his condemnations. Their house was innocent, their house was merely to be investigated for the potential of guilt, or so was the story. And yet they were to have the doors of power, and even their methods of enrichment, ripped from them.
It would only be a matter of time, left unchecked, that they would take the rest of their world. The court would be a formality; they would find him guilty, even in the absence of condemning evidence. Which he would ensure they had nothing more to use against him than that damnable letter. It would not be enough. They had made their decisions, and he was certain they would thrill to spread his wealth, tributaries, influence, and votes out amongst themselves with such utter joy.
Guards approached him with clear intent. As if he were a common hoodlum, he was to be dragged out of this august chamber if he made even the slightest effort to resist their desire to see him and his entire family expelled. Today was to be a day of triumph. It had turned to such ash in his mouth. The sneer could not leave his handsome features, contemptuous beyond words at the way he was being so firmly removed from these halls. Yet he was smarter than some gave him credit for: he was smart enough to both stop speaking, and to exit under his own power.
This would be a disgrace that would be answered in short order. But today was not the day for that answer. He stepped with authority free of these chambers, even if the dikastirio had seen to the removal of what true authority that remained within his control. He offered no word, and only cast his eyes for the shock or pleasure on the faces of each important face present. There would be a reckoning, and there would be allies needed; both of these things must be secured even in this brisk moment. The words of Dysmas echoed his ears, giving him one of his only hints of a smile as he stepped free of this place that had become a home, that he had taken for granted for so very long.
There were voices here who questioned their cruelty. Voices who could be heard louder, and used to rise up anew, once the flames burning out the last of the house of Xanthos had died down. He would have allies, whether they knew it now or not, when the time came. For now, a carriage awaited to ferry him and his family homeward, to try to deduce how best to salvage the insult and disenfranchisement placed so absolutely upon their House, all for the foolishness of a single letter.
Senate meetings were nothing new to the man, ever since Alehandros had acquired his rightful title as one of the Head of Houses under the Antonis name, he had been a very common and frequent face in the senate since he was sixteen. Now at the age of 40, Alehandros had 24 years under his belt of senate business and workings, he could not say he liked or agreed with everything every time. Yet there was great good the gathered counsel of men, and select rare few of women, had achieved over the last two decades that he’d over seen. In his younger days, it’d been a great effort to bite his quick witted tongue from lashing out his opinions and perspective of things. Over the years Alehandros had curbed his ambition to be heard and really become a respected stature in the Senate for his ability to observe all sides of a situation and only present reasonable suggestions or statements, that hardly anyone with a calm mind could counter. He had never once used the position of rightful male heir to the throne to get him anywhere, even when it came to be heard in the senate. Alehandros gave a great portion of credit to the wisdom of their gods and goddesses for blessing his tongue and mind with such unbiased perception.
The routine of sacrificing a wealthy tribute to the gods in the Naos of Athena the day before a Senate gathering was something Alehandros had taken up doing many many years ago. On the grand Sixth gathering of senate gatherings, he would even present a sacrifice in the Naos of Themis. He wanted to ensure he was given the gods wisdom by covering all bases the best he could. His presence at the Naos of Themis let many commoners of Athenia know which Senate meeting would be happening the following day, it was a small thing Alehandros could do, was to let the public know that there could be possible big changes to come just by his mere appearance at even an old temple of homage. It also allowed him to get to know the common folk of the kingdom when he mingled among them with each visit to the temple.
The preparations for today’s gathering had been no different for the Antonis man, even having awoke early as to ensure he had enough time to pray subserviently and ask for blessing at all the different altars that were set up in the Antonis mansion. It could never do one harm to be in constant reverence to their immortal lieges.
Alehandros had made sure his daughter, Sanasa, was dressed appropriately and respectfully, she was one of the few women allowed into the senate as she was a rightful Baroness since she’d been 19. Though he really didn’t have to counsel her on appearance, his wife, Sotiria, had ensured his daughters had the proper etiquette and elegance of what royal women should be. So it was more on himself making sure he was ready and on time, their carriage arriving the same time as his uncle’s, Lord Lacides of Antonis and cousin, Lord Mateos of Antonis. A quick but loving kiss to his elegant wife of Antonis before departing to enter the Senate. He escorted Sanasa at his side, her arm wrapped around his appropriately as they entered. They were always there earlier than most, he instilled on his daughter that being punctual to important gatherings was a great key to reading the feel of the room as everyone else showed up after them.
In due time, Alehandros made sure to greet all of barons from the Antonis provinces as well as to acknowledge all the other Lords that were present for the days proceedings. Unless there was extremely late one showing up, he reached out to almost all of them before everyone was wrangled in and silenced for the beginning of it all. The presence of his cousin, Persephone, next to his uncle, King Minas, was not an unusual one anymore. He could take pride in having a daughter in the senate himself now. It was touching to see such daughter-father support, even within such a rules and regulations constricted area. Ale was heavily concerned with how frail his Xanthos uncle was looking, the man hadn’t looked that ill at the last public event at all. With Sanasa on one side and his uncle on the other, Alehandros watched, nodded and observed everything that was being discussed on the agenda presented by Lord Votis that day. Always stoic and rare to give an outward response to things, even when heated discussions filled the air over the different items.
At some point statements, old maps and scrolls had to be brought forth for Lacides of Antonis to prove the proper borders of their province that Stravos had been encroaching upon as of late. Alehandros had made sure to find all known documentation regarding the history and land agreements of their property going back enough generations before Stravos even had property near Antonis provinces. There was no real dispute on it in the end after facts were proven. Alehandros had insisted Lacides keep his cool and never present things in an accusing manner, just simply state the facts and let that tell the truth instead of infusing emotions into it. Made it all the more convincing and respectable for the congress to make a level decision.
Alehandros’ attention did not spike again until a pirate had been brought to the stand as witness to grievous acts against all of Athenian families represented there today. That was a huge accusation to be made.. This furrowed the chestnut brows of the Antonis man greatly. The male heir to the crown had been dealing with some nasty situations involving pirates, as of late, that were overrunning one of his provinces, Pholis. The fiends had murdered his baron and overtaken most of the place before Alehandros had been able to do anything about it. He had been lucky enough that most of the dead baron’s family had slipped away and he’d been able to provide protection for them while he took control over Pholis. Things were very hairy with fighting against the pirates, and seeing his people be harmed by their brutal savagery was one of the few things to make Alehandros's temper rise. So that fact a pirate of all beings was being entrusted to give a truthful and honest statement in the Senate was beguiling.
It took a great calming effort for Alehandros to keep his facical expression stoically placid and neutral as the proceedings continued. Sanasa had even noticed he was a bit more stiff in his seat than normal, but he tried to hide it. It would not do well to seem prejudice outwardly. So he let his inquisitive mind dive into what was going on as opposed to whom was confessing the evidence being brought forth. That helped greatly for him to tap into his thought process of viewing things from each person’s angles and understanding their reactions.
His mind ticked with many thoughts and questions as the man was presented by Aimias and lightly interrogated the pirate. These were but of a few he was thinking.. By whom or how was this brought up to Aimias? Why has nothing been done so far to prevent these naval attacks? It has been mentioned before with how terrible the seas have been with the unusual frequent Pirate attacks these last six months or more. Stravos... and the investigation... was it a setup? How does this pirate profit from mere clemency? Why would a pirate hold onto proof of connections? Great job on question directing, Aimias. Hmm.. how dense would one have to be to put their seal on a letter that proves treason? How much of this is just prattled necessity and respect for the other nobles? Why is honesty not everyone’s values as a whole? It's so much easier than letting pride, propriety and ambition botch things up. More evidence… How stupid are you Elias? Thought you were better than that. Oh dear cousin. Such a shame. Loaned warships and a banner? Oh Zeus above.. Why? Just why? How many of the pirates in Pholis are there because of you and your buddy here, boy? Killing my people for their sick fun? No wonder there were ‘border’ issues going on. Very handy all of this information was only discovered days ago, praise the gods for bringing light to it. Hmm, I will be sure to hunt down any possible connections between the pirates plaguing my province for this future trial hearing. How is one so callous to the life of the people they are to be protecting? Seriously Elias!? Efficient man, Aimias of Chaopia. Everything the pirate owns should be seized… not just the payments he’s, most likely, already spent. Nothing he has is gained by honest hard work. Okay a bit harsh, Ale. A pirate could possibly be honest.. Maybe.. How is the man hoping to get paid after this anyway? How does he expect to be a free man after this? He’s been a pirate far longer than the supposed agreement with Elias. Clemency is not a pardon dear Captain.
Even after keeping his features blank and emotionless, letting his mind do all the expressing of concerns within the confines of his skull, Alehandros did raise a curious brow as he looked to watch Elias’s response to the King’s decree and questioning. One could not ignore that.
Oh cousin.. Can you act any more guilty than that? How much defensive aggression do you need if you are innocent?
Alehandros was not impressed, though he showed no external reaction, where as the rest of the senate was vocal and physically expressive on the whole matter. It had been known for years that the Antonis man could sit through the most heated discussions and vocal battles, and still seem as calm as a gentle breeze with only small eyebrow quirks or subtle frowns on occasion. Rarely did he let expressions of surprise be seen, that just would not do when you needed an analytical mind for political business. Perhaps his minimal response to things is why others perceived him as apathetic over the years?
When his uncle, King Minas, spoke again, Alehandros was glued to the man’s every word. Inwardly cringing as he could hear the strain in the vocals that the ailing individual was trying to retrain the strength of authority with. Minas did so very well, too. Ale tensed, a part of him wanted to get up and go to his uncle’s aid, he hated seeing suffering of any kind. How had no one known how bad the king had been getting these last few weeks? Ale suppressed his youthful memories of how grand Minas was to him as a kid, it was not appropriate to allow himself to be pulled back into the past at such an important current moment. He’d be sure to seek Persephone out on exactly how bad Minas was after all this was done today. No matter the final verdict to anything today, he would offer any aid to his family in the end.
Lacides had to physically restrain Alehandros from possibly standing, it was a simple gesture that was made before Ale could shift to the edge of his seat. It was the firm and painful grip of the General’s on Ale’s arm that kept him seated. It helped keep the younger man’s mind on the task at hand and not rushing to the king’s aid. By the gods, how could Persephone just sit there so still? Alehandros hated political and public propriety very greatly at that moment. Alehandros definitely respected how she could keep her composure. Even Sanasa had seemed to keep her indifferent calm about it all. In a few deep breaths, Lacides recoiled his grip and Alehandros nodded appreciatively to the man. He watched with an agitated look as Elias was being escorted out, by the time Elias was gone though, Alehandros had morphed his features back to a plain face of controlled indifference.
It was a whole new game with the Stravos temporarily sidelined. What game was this that the fates were playing? Or was asking the fate’s what new strings were they plucking, more the question to ask. Alehandros was anything but blind to how this was to affect what came next on the docket. Alehandros resumed being the watchful eye of how all the other lords and ladies were chattering about under hushed tones while the shock of Elias’s removal soaked into them all. The senate gathering hadn’t been this lively in years, Ale could appreciate that this was not a normal, dull session.
Papa may not have appreciated the work Rafail put into looking his best at each event - something which confused the youngest Marikas son to no end, given how adamant he was about looking one's most elegant and creating an excellent first impression - but Elias had not once let him down. He, at least, knew when was appropriate to offer up a compliment and, besides, he of all people would understand the sheer effort that had been made with his outfit regarding how Rafail was showing both his status and support that day. "I thought you might appreciate my chosen colours. The very finest I had for such an occasion."
He followed his favoured cousin further into the Senate with a nod of understanding towards his words. All things came at a price, after all, that much was a lesson that his family had tried to instil in him from a young age, despite his habit of getting what he willed without much consequence. But not all were so generous, and one had to be prepared for every eventuality. Speaking of which, 'twas better to ensure everything was well-organised now to prevent later failure, and as he noted the princess's arrival and Elias indicated he wished to leave and attend to other matters, Rafail felt in no way put out as he might have had someone else rejected his presence. This was no ordinary senate meeting, after all, and all had to plan differently to the usual. Reaching to pat him gently on the arm, equally proud smirk on his face as Elias turned away. "I wish you luck."
Persephone's presence was a signal that events were to begin, so Rafail returned to where his father and brother were, positioning himself beside Panos, barely sparing a glance for the man who actually called himself his brother. As far as he was concerned, such an annoying man should not have the right to call himself sibling to the sybarite that was Rafail. At least he was of use in some regard, as he was quick to speak and silence any rumours surrounding his actions. The younger of the pair of brothers didn't entirely understand why anyone cared: he was proud of his exploits, and he wholeheartedly believed all should be impressed by his deeds rather than offended. Resentment caused by lack of sexual prowess was both ridiculous and pathetic.
At last, it appeared that these minor issues were dying down and they were coming to the main event. It had seemed the vote was taking an aeon to get started and, now that Lord Votis was raising a matter that involved the entirety of Athenia, he sat himself up in his seat the slightest bit further, eager to hear what was to say. It was not, however, what he had expected and, instead, some peasant appeared in the room, flanked by a man who seemed to have no business in the Senate. If Rafail had his way, he would not have allowed any of this rabble to infiltrate any a place for the nobility, and most certainly not the Senate house. But, he supposed, he could place some trust in the ruling family and whatever they were playing at, and he listened to the claims of treason and naval attack. He could not understand why the King would ever have allowed the man mercy for such grievous acts - criminals deserved to be disciplined, and punished heavily - but what he struggled to comprehend was why Elias would have done such a thing. It was not as though his friend didn't have a reasonable grasp on the throne already, nor as if Stravos did not already rule the seas with their vessels. Rafail couldn't help but agree with the exclamations that it seemed unreasonable to believe a pirate's word against a Stravos's, little though he might have cared for the dynasteía. It seemed all too possible that another could have sought to darken their name.
It was only a surprise then that Stravos were stripped of their status. Rafail was not even sure how he felt about the ordeal, left wholly speechless as he attempted to come up with any reaction other than just pure shock. He may have gathered the gravity of the situation, but he had not imagined anything so drastic before the trial had even taken place, despite his own beliefs about crime and punishment. Nonetheless, he saw one particular benefit from the case, and that was that, without Stravos in the equation, Papa was that one step closer to the throne, as he should have been, and that placed Rafail in quite the pleasant position indeed.
Persephone watched the faces of the men in the room. Some of them were shocked, unable to process quickly what was happening around them. That was to be expected. Others expressions had turned dark with anger, mostly directed at the Stravos House for, of the man who had testified was proven true - as his vow to the Gods most likely proved that they were - then it was of Stravos intend and blame that so many Houses within the room had lost ships, men, money and trade. Others held expressions of disbelief, of suspicious intent on the head of Lukos of Magnemea who was escorted from the room under the watchful gaze of those less trusting in pirates - vow or no vow.
This was all to be expected. Persephone and Aimias knew that their plan to bring this to the Senate's attention before the legislative vote was a calculated risk - that it would turn some against the crown for accepting the word of a low-life against that of a House member. It was why they were making it very clear that a formal trial would be presented soon. It wasn't that they were taking the word of a pirate over a man of Stravos. It was that they were taking it as potentially true - enough so that a formal trial was required. Even if all that trial did was prove the man's innocence. Not that Persephone hoped it would. Treason and deceit in the Senate were punishable offences and she held no empathy any longer for the man that had callously dictated the deaths of dozens for the sake of claiming a throne he would have been entitled to either way.
Whilst Persephone and Aimias had known that the legislative vote would - more than likely - end in their defeat, due to the numbers they had worked out through discussions with the nobles, Elias had clearly decided that that small margin of error - that small chance of Xanthos supremacy was too much to risk. And so, he had enacted his plans to discredit the family and their method of rule. It was a card he had given Persephone that she had no intention on allowing to remain out of play when it could aid in widening the margin of error still further.
Once the room had quietened down once more - for the nobles were understandably shocked and chattering amongst themselves at what they had just witnessed, Lord Votis raised his arms once more.
"The final issue to be discussed this afternoon, nobles of Athenia." He commented, as if a cataclysmic event had not just occurred, bringing order and stability back to the proceedings. "Is a matter of legislation that the king would like to address."
Persephone looked to her father as he was now required to openly speak - not just in terms of a ruling or judgement, but in his own case and plans. She felt her heart quicken and her breath stop as she noted his hands tighten on the arms of his chair. She tried to keep her face impartial and plain as her father used what energy he had to push himself up to standing, his head held high and his crown catching the light from the opening in the ceiling.
"Good men of the Senate..." The king began, as Persephone watched. "I bring to you a matter of uniqueness that I hope you will offer your open minds to." He paused for effect - or perhaps just to catch his breath - as a ripple went around the room. For this was the vote that everyone had been waiting for. "I believe that our kingdom has been most fortunate." He began, his gaze sweeping the room. "Not only have we had great kings of old... from Marikas... from Antonis... but also great Queens. Our people have created and bred a fine race of Athenian - be they of any gender. I look to Lord Panos, in reference to his aunt." The king looked towards the gentleman, bowing his head in respect for both he and Lady Ivra. "To Lord Lacides for his sister, Lady Lysta." He repeated the action. "And to the numerous women of our future generations who hold such intelligence, power and breeding that we already accept them as our Queens when the time is appropriate." Now the king had to take a comment to breathe before continuing. "The law of the land of Athenia states that a female of royal birth may be crowned Queen once all male relatives have been lost. There is no law to stipulate that a woman cannot rule and rule alone should she be unmarried. But the order of inheritance has led our throne away from strong and courageous Dynasteias before. It has supplied our crown to those far removed from royal lines, bestowed on those whom history has dictated to have once been unworthy. Simply due to their gender."
The men in the room seemed to shift in their seats. Persephone knew that some would be remembering great Kings and Queens, others the not so effective ones. Athenia had not always been blessed in their rulers. And while most of the men in the room would have known no ruler besides King Minas, history books were part of the foundation of any nobleman's learning.
"As such, I propose a change in the inheritance law of our crowns. As is right and just, male heirs will inherit before all else. But I move that female heirs of immediate rulers should be considered next in the line of succession, prior to the crown moving to other families or parties." The king glanced towards Lord Alehandros. "While we are currently fortunate that the choice of male heir at this time is a brave, noble and benevolent one..." He turned back to look at the rest of the room, before glancing down at where Elias of Stravos had been standing. "We cannot be assured that that will always be the case..." He did not need to make further his point - for Alehandros had only daughters.
Minas paused for a moment before continuing.
"The daughters of Athenian nobility are strong and vibrant." He told the hall, Persephone impressed that his voice had yet to waver. "And they have proven in our history that they make fine Queens; whether accompanied by their Kings or not."
The King cleared his throat.
"I ask that the men of this room look to their daughters and sisters and decide whether the women of the royal line should be permitted the power second to that of their male counterparts, but above that of those removed from the royal line. It is this that I offer for discussion and eventual vote."
And with that, the King settled back into his throne. Persephone suspected she was the only one close enough to notice the slight thump with which he did so as his knees clearly ran out of energy at the last moment.
Persephone felt her heart swell with pride. Not just from the king's ability to stand up and deliver such a powerful testimony in his current stages of health, but also from the words he spoke. It was strange that she had never, until he spoke them out loud, considered that her father's determination to award women a change in position in the line of succession had just as much to do with her ability as a woman to rule, as it did with him determination to keep the royal line within the House of Xanthos.
He had, in fact, mentioned Xanthos not at all in his speech, though anyone whom could work out birth order would know that Persephone was next to be crowned should the law pass. Instead, he had focused on this being a way of moving forward and keeping the crown in the hands of those trained and worthy to take it, rather than allowing it to slip further from the hands of those most capable into those that were unable to handle such a position, simply because they happened to be born the correct gender.
Persephone wondered how many of the nobles in the room with impressive daughters, sisters or female relatives, would be moved by such a plea. And to what extent their values of tradition would override everything else.
Lord Votis stepped forward as was his role, his hands raised in a universal sign that opened the floor for all others to speak...
Keikelius couldn’t properly describe the mixture of emotions that had long settled in the pit of his stomach. The moment that the pirate, Lukos, had stepped into the room, the Master of Trade had faltered, his mind already trailing full speed ahead with ideas as to the true purpose and culprit of the treasonous act one of their own senators had enacted. Who in this room had sunk those ships with a command?
Hands braced calmly, stoically behind his back, Keikelius kept his gaze settled on the king, the pirate and the advisor that took turns giving their account of the crime and the punishments. The word treason was mentioned multiple times, but Keikelius remained calm, sure beyond reason that his family, his son, would be free from suspicion.
The letter presented, however, was damning. The moment Elias’ name left the advisor’s lips, everything stopped. Keikelius’ mind faltered. Ever gear, wheel, and trail of thought ceased, his expression a cool mask that would not reveal the unbridled rage that had settled, leaden in the pit of his stomach. Slowly, his mind shifted back to the words spoken previously, connecting with the accusations further made between Lukos and the king’s advisors.
Gaze flicking briefly to his child, his son, beside him, Keikelius silently debated what had possessed him to be such…
A gods-damned idiot.
It certainly wasn’t from Keikelius’ side of the family, nor the Xanthos line his wife presented. No, Elias had apparently created a breed all of his own with the amount of sheer stupidity and unchecked power he had decided to abuse. And under Keikelius’ nose?
Keikelius was far from pleased.
The moment Elias started to open his mouth to speak without being invited, Keikelius’ hand had landed on the man’s shoulder, his gaze remaining on the proceedings rather than the treasonous child he, unfortunately, shared a name with. A name Keikelius had freely given him in letting him survive birth and childhood.
Thankfully, Elias remained silent, no doubt watching Keikelius’ face for a brief moment. Keikelius would betray nothing of the storm brewing in his mind. It was easier said than done when the punishment handed down by the king was revealed. Essentially stripping them of their positions. Their nobility. Their wealth.
Keikelius removed his hand from Elias’ shoulder as the man was lead out of the room by the guards. His expression fell into a sharp scowl directed at his son’s back.
A disgrace.
He’d be dealt with later.
Despite the loss of Keikelius’ noble titles only moments before, he still possessed the titles of the Master of Trade. The guards could not direct him from the Senate when he still held a vital vote in the palm of his hand. Nobility or not, Keikelius had taken the more intelligent route through life, placing himself in a position most would be hard pressed to remove him from.
The moment his son was fully removed from the premises, Keikelius’ expression returned to carefully contained neutrality. He still had a job, a position to utilize.
So Keikelius listened to the next words presented to the senate. His hands returned to settle behind his back, giving off the heir of contented attentiveness. He waited for the floor to be given the room to speak. No longer was he Lord Stravos. He was simply Keikelius. His own daughters would not benefit from the change of birth order, but that would not discredit the fact that there were numerous ladies of Athenia who would be forever better suited for the throne than some of the lords that frequented the senate.
Taking the beat of silence to step forward, Keikelius raised a hand to demonstrate that he, silent throughout the entirety of the previous proceedings, would take the floor first.
Ever the mask of composed neutrality and solid efficiency, Keikelius opened his mouth to speak. “Your Majesty, your words hold a deep truth to them,” he conceded firmly, “Having been witness to the growth of numerous noble ladies through the years, one must consider the environment in which daughters and sisters are being raised. We hand provinces to our sons and brothers to teach them to rule and command, but the ladies of Athenia have proven time and time again that they learn quickly with ever observant gazes and the political knowhow that can, and often does, rival our Lords.”
Straightening slightly, he thought momentarily of his own wife, the King’s sister, and his daughters. All had the presence and ability had the crown ever fallen to them, however unlikely.
“I think it unwise to discredit change and the possibility of moving our civilization into a new era of prosperity on the basis of sex,” Keikelius noted firmly, his gaze flicking from the King to Persephone. A slight nod of affirmation that he had placed himself in her corner with every intention of holding his ground.
Persephone's mouth almost dropped open. It was only strong self-control, the fact that a room full of men were staring in her direction and years of training that had given her a second of pause in all of her reactions, allowing her that moment of clarity to decide on what emotions and feelings passed her features and which did not, that held her jaws shut. She had a sneaking suspicious that her eyes might have widened though. At least everyone was too far away to notice such a small change.
Keikelius of Stravos, openly encouraging the idea of a law change?
Persephone's mind ran through the possibilities, her political training moving into fast forward as it ricocheted around her head. Lord Keikelius was a master; he had to be shown as objective rather than supportive of any sway of action that benefited Stravos. He also may have been trying to detach himself from the scandal that had just occurred - clearly some of the Stravos reputation by default by offering support to a law change that would diminish the chances of his son taking the throne - a son who had just been accused of treason.
Perhaps this was the act of a man smart enough to cut his losses? His original point of women being inexperienced because men were given provinces with which to practice their skills of leadership made sense but if a change in law was to be passed, those women - specifically the ones in immediate line to the throne - might be allowed such positions in order to do just that. Which meant the only female who would be taking the throne unprepared - potentially - was Persephone. Provided she produced an heir... And she had been ruling in her father's stead for some time - at least half the room knew that. Perhaps that would be enough to sway such ideas and bring them around to Keikelius' final point of consideration. That change might be something that benefited the kingdom...
Persephone felt her heart quicken and her breathing become erratic but she kept herself outwardly calm.
She watched as Lord Votis thanked the Lord Keikelius for his contribution and opened the floor to others to speak...
The younger head of Antonis had sat back in his seat at the grand reveal of King Minas’s long and slow delivery of the real core purpose behind all the pomp and circumstance of the Senate meeting today. Everything up until the Traitor accusations against Elias had been mere standard things that needed attending to, that any normal Senate gathering could have dealt with civilly between just the lords. Alehandros tuned in very intently on every word of his Uncle’s and his expression stayed neutral even as he heard and felt the insults insinuated by Minas towards him and Antonis. He had to just assume the King’s illness was leading the man into saying mad thing at this point. None of the man’s words made true sense to start with..
Breathing deeply and keeping his neutrality, Alehandros soaked in the full entirety of the Majesty’s words, pondering and rolling them around in his mind. It was a lot to take in for a deep thinker like himself. Feeling out the possible reasonings of this proposal. The pros and cons, his mind quick to illuminate many angles of this vote. He’d closed his eyes in thought, to block out the visual of agitated people in the senate, so he could hone in on just hearing everyone's comments and whispers nearest to him. Feeling how the room’s atmosphere felt: with much confusion. Only opening his eyes when he heard the voice of Keikelius, another uncle of his, but only by marriage through Circenia, Alehandros’ aunt and sister to the King himself.
He Hmm’d to himself, pondering what Lord Keikelius had to say, Alehandros didn’t show his surprise but his mind sparked at a hundred more questions at this sudden curveball. Theoretically, even though King Minas had the power to decree this change by his own very word, the crown itself was to be passed directly to Alehandros at this current moment before all the votes were even cast. It was a real eye-opener to see what others would choose. The Antonis man had heard many rumors of people’s views over the years, but it was history changing votes like this that really showed a person’s true colors. How many were actually loyal to Alehandros or supported him, or were they so petrified of Stravos getting the throne, they were overlooking him entirely? Did they ignore the fact that, should Antonis inherit the crown now, Stravos would no longer be in the line of succession? Were they blind to anything and everything Alehandros of Antonis had done for his crown, senate, and country over the last 22 years he’d been an active member of it all?
Alehandros waited and listened, cutting back his own personal feelings of it all. Emotions wouldn’t earn him anything at the moment besides frustration that would cloud his thinking. A few comments from lesser noble representatives could be heard. Though not loud enough to make it seem like objections, just throwing out reasonable concerns that any man in the Senate that day should be contemplating. This vote… was a 180 degree game changer for all of Athenia. Not just the crown.
After a few more smaller voices were heard out, Alehandros made a subtle gesture with his hand to respectfully catch Lord Votis’s eye. Signaling that a Head of Antonis, the still current Heir to the throne, had something to say. The chief advisor silenced the room, Alehandros bowed his head respectfully to the man for his duty. Then stood, tall and proud with shoulders rolled firmly back as he clasped his hands together behind his back, a very somber, soldier-like pose that he had seemed to acquire after years of speaking within the senate. It was something he did in honorable pride of his house’s military lineage, he prayed silently for a short moment for the gods and goddesses to bless his tongue with wisdom, truth, and honesty before his lips parted.
“Your Majesty, Your royal highness,” Alehandros projected his voice full of clarity and authority as he did have the floor and he partially bowed respectively to both King Minas and Princess Persephone as he asserted their titles. Then angling to view the majority of the Senate from the Antonis’s position in the grand room, “Lords and ladies of the Senate.” Giving recognition to them all, “As a lord of a Dynasteia, I, Alehandros of Antonis, have a duty to ensure concerns and facts are expressed that many of the noble lords may not feel they have a right to voice. And I have faith that Zeus and Athena’s wisdom will guide my following words.” Pausing for a gentle breath and to allow people to realize and remember that Alehandros rarely if ever gave such a grand beginning to what he was going to say. It was well-known, he kept his counsel quiet unto others to allow them to think out the appropriate solutions and only interjected when things seemed to be coming up fruitless for all parties involved. His word had become something to revere, to heed, and to take great consideration in over the two decades he’d been apart of this Senate.
“In theory the idea for this proposal of change sounds desirable on the surface. If only things were as simple as the ripples upon Poseidon's seas. Yet even beneath calm waters monstrous creatures reside in the darkest depths, more repulsive than anything we could ever see or imagine. Every sailor weathering the seas knows to take precautions to protect themselves against the day the calm surface is breached by these unknown dangers.” Closing his eyes for a moment, this was not an easy to thing bring up for a man like Alehandros. He liked to solve conflicts, not create them. No matter what, this was going to create new conflicts with people. Taking a deep controlled breath before he continued, “I would not be a true Antonis if I were not willing to state what I see as truth.
“The sentiment behind this vote honorably highlights the exceptional women that stand beside us in our everyday lives. I would not be ashamed of having a woman as our monarch. As I am surrounded by brilliant women on a constant basis every day of my life, my respect for their capability as leaders knows no bounds. I personally understand the wisdom and strength women can yield.
“But yet, this proposal feels wrong and I, as a Head of House Antonis, morally can not support it. There are too many negatives to counter and outweigh the positives. Let me explain.. “ Pausing for a moments breath as he looked over the many faces of the Senate.
“Firstly, the way in which this change has been proposed is designed to deny the seat of the throne from any dynasteia except Xanthos for the foreseeable future. This has the potential to, in the distant future, eradicate all other Royal Houses for good. No other father or mother will ever have the pride and joy of having their sons or daughters take the throne under their birth names. How is this healthy for the throne in the least? It is begging for unhealthy envy to breed amongst extended royalty and nobility that may cause the entirety of Xanthos to be forcefully removed to put a new name in place. I would like to believe mankind is not that petty, yet we have potential evidence presented this very day, proving those hopes to be very misguided.
“Many are probably confused at this point why I am opposing this vote suggestion. After all, it is not unknown that ever since of young age, I never desired to become King and I had great faith in my Uncle to provide a male heir so I would never have to worry. And yet, I have had to worry. I have had twelve years to realize and accept the role that has been not my wish to take as an inevitable responsibility and duty. Once I accepted the reality of it all, realizing my Uncle had sacrificed the need for a male heir for the crown when he chose to not remarry out of the respect for his deceased wife’s memory in his daughters’ eyes. I fully embraced that it was my duty to uphold Antonis virtues and serve the highest of honors any man could be offered when the day called for it. I have had King Minas as a fine example to learn from since I was a wobbly walking toddler. I have reached out on various accounts to be a studious pupil and learn the ways of the crown on a more intimate level to prepare myself for the future.
“If there are any among this Senate who are concerned of my abilities to serve, protect, and rule, one may easily look over how I've ruled the Provinces of Antonis for the last two decades. I have over twenty years of experience in tending to the needs of Athenia’s citizens, and being a benevolent but firm Lord to the people in my provinces.” He paused, looking to all Antonis vassals with great compassion showing on his features, no doubts that he could ever have failed them without knowing it.
Alehandros took a deep breath. “Both Antonis and Marikas are founding bloodlines of the Athenian crown, and it would be absolutely dishonorable and cowardly of me, to believe a young lady that I have witnessed grow up right next to my own daughters, would be wiser and more experienced than I to be the next heir. It's dishonorable as a man to put such grand responsibilities, as to run a country, onto the shoulders of a lady that is expected to be a proper and honorable mother to our future generations. Is it not a challenging or important enough responsibility for our women to secure the future of this kingdom with healthy, strong children and instill in them the core values of a proper upbringing? How cruel do we have to be to burden our women with expectations of time, energy and strength to complete all of this unhindered both physically and emotionally? It is a tragedy that any of us here would even consider allowing so much stress to fall onto any noblewoman.” His voice and tone, as he continued, was a neutral, stating the simple facts as he added,. “And we should not discount the notion that if these accusations against Elias prove to be true, there should not be any concerns of the crown falling onto unsavory souls so soon.”
Alehandros exhaled one last slow breath as he wrapped up the proclamation of his views and where Antonis stood.
"For all the reasons I have provided, I will not and cannot in good conscience support a change to this law. My vote on behalf of House Antonis is a No."
Not once did he let outrage or distaste taint his words, simply expressing truths as they were meant to be heard. Nodding respectably to King Minas, Princess Persephone, Lord Votis and then half bowing to the rest of the Senate before taking his seat. Lacides subtlety nodding his approval of Alehandros. It was clear the Antonis Dynasteia was a unified force, as all those born into the name Antonis followed Ale's lead with their own votes.
Panos took his seat, Pavlos following to sit on his right, Rafail on Pavlos’ other side. All eyes were on the Princess, a din of chatter rippling around the vast room. All were likely discussing the highly anticipated legislation vote, that was surely to make this otherwise ordinary Senate meet one to remember, no matter the outcome. Panos’ eyes calmly assessed the princess, the King, wandered over to the Stravos clan, and back to the front when he saw Lord Votis stand to address the Lords. Silence fell. They were all well rehearsed in such procedure.
That being said, business as normal began, as it would any other Senate meet. There was an undeniable tension building, maybe an impatience, for everyone knew what awaited them at the end of the meet.
But other matters required addressing first.
A land dispute between a couple House Stravos and House Anthonis provinces was brought to attention, during which, and not for the first time Panos was embarrassed to acknowledge, an insult was directed toward Rafail. Pavlos, as Head of their house, wasted no time in more or less swatting the insult away, like water on a duck’s feathers, again, not for the first time. Panos allowed himself to feel a notion of pride toward his eldest son. He was every bit living up to the Marikas name.
The land disputes, the insults, the dealing with the insults and the taxes thereafter had all taken quite a while, as they typically did, but they were eventually, begrudgingly resolved.
And so once again, Lord Votis addressed them at the conclusion, and this time conceded the floor to Lord Aimias, who apparently had a concern regarding the welfare of the entire kingdom. That piqued Panos’ interest, and he’s eyes narrowed slightly as Lord Aimias stood to address the Lords, as silence befell the room once more. He felt Pavlos shoot a glance at him sideways, but he ignored it. He knew no more than his son about what this matter might be, but it wasn’t the legislation vote.
At first his words fell into silence, which didn't last long. The silence bubbled softly with questioning whispers. Lord Aimias paused for it, expected it. It was a serious matter he was bringing forth. An offense committed against everyone here, as he so stated. Before he could even finish stating what it was he had evidence for, the room had erupted at the nonspecific accusation. Blame was being thrown already in the shouting and the yelling; long and old rivalries flared. But it was clear to Panos what everyone was concerned and upset with, as he, too, was just as concerned; someone in this room was about to be accused of treason.
From there, Panos watched and listened in grave silence, his sons reacting on either side of him to varying degrees of distress and suspicion. Elias had, as it would seem, paid this man, this pirate, to sink not only Athenian ships, no matter the house, but also any Taengean and Colchis ships he came across. This was a serious accusation indeed, and Lord Aimias’ likely very well rehearsed questioning of the lowlife was painting a very damning picture of Elias.
Jaw clenched tightly, for he could not afford a break in composure here, no matter his feelings, he looked over at the Stravos clan. Elias was the picture of bottled anger, his father a close match. While it brought Panos some satisfaction to see them squirming in such a way, it brought nearly as much concern to his calculating mind.
As the proceedings went on, an incriminating letter was produced and its signature and seal confirmed by the King himself to be that of Elias of Stravos. Lord Votis called for confirmation on his part, that he indeed wrote that letter, though it was hardly necessary. The silence was almost deafening, which was an incredible feat in itself with so many men in one space, as all eyes fell on the Stravos heir.
Not a word needed to be spoken, and Panos could almost hear Keikelius’ palm slam into Elias’ back, could feel it as if it was his own hand. The boy had nodded, and indeed, a boy he was.
Panos clenched his jaw harder.
Lord Aimias continued on to share the details of the investigation that had been carried out over the last few days. As the Lord laid out what else they had to support the accusation, the room slowly began to bubble again around Panos. What started out as small whispers soon evolved to angry exchanges and shouting from various houses and families.
The King’s judgment was called upon.
Silence fell across the room like a tide of water on a shore, as all eyes looked to the king.
The verdict was long and drawn out, as the crowd could not help their reactions in between the King’s musings. In the end though, it was decided that House Stravos would be stripped of their titles and lands temporarily until a time a trail could be held, and Elias was to be put under house arrest.
All eyes watched as guards made for Elias and escorted him from the Senate. The fool… Panos thought. The boy deserved it; yes, it was treasonous, but he deserved it more simply because he could not cover his own damned tracks. No one was innocent in this room, but just better at hiding their guilt - and destroying incriminating letters and loose ends.
Of course, Panos had his own suspicions concerning these apparent ‘investigations’ that had and were being conducted, as claimed by Lord Aimias, but as also stated, they were thoughts and questions to be raised during the trial, and while the stripping of the Stravos’ family’s titles was jarring to say the least, it was deserved, and the grave accusation had left the King’s hands tied.
Panos exchanged a charged look with Pavlos. This meant a few things for the Marikas family, and he could already see his son making the necessary calculations, as Panos himself was.
Silence, again, though this time it took a moment or two longer to quench, as Lord Votis stood to speak again. Finally, the King was invited to address the Senate about the matter of legislation hotly anticipated.
Addressing the Lords present, he complimented the people, the Lords and the Kingdom which he ruled, paying respects to Panos and his aunt, Ivra, to which he bowed his head graciously.
From there, the King made clear the legislation he wished to change - the succession of women in the immediate Royal line. The King gave the floor to the Senate and any Lord who wished to speak. Panos watched Keikelius stand to take the floor first. After what had happened to his family, Panos could see Keikelius go one of two ways;
One: speak against the proposal, support his useless son. Two: try to slink the Stravos name back into some kind of good standing and throw his support, whatever that was worth anymore, behind the new legislation.
Somewhat to his surprise, but not entirely out of the realm of possibility, Keikelius chose the latter
Interesting.
Panos exchanged another look with his sons. This was an interesting turn of events as Keikelius’ support meant very little considering the Crown had assumed temporary control of his family’s lands. On the same token, however, it was clear all those provinces were now a secure vote in support of the legislation.
Very crafty for the Xanthos family. Very crafty, indeed. It was impressive, really, the timing of events, how everything was seemingly shifting their way like clockwork.
Panos was absolutely sure coincidence had nothing to do with it.
Keikelius’ pitiful vote cast, talk rippled among the room in the interim as houses spoke among themselves, weighing the pros and cons, thinking how best they might benefit, or indeed, lose out from such a legislation.
As Master of Law, Panos had no vote to cast, but that didn’t mean he couldn’t speak. He would say his piece, and then he would hand the floor over to his son, Pavlos, to cast his vote for the greater House Marikas.
Following Keikelius, Alehandros of House Antonis was next to address the Senate. House Antonis and House Marikas together were the oldest Athenian families, and as such have held a long, prosperous and ongoing support for one another through intermarriage. They were a House built on traditions as much as Marikas was.
Panos listened intently as Alehandros laid out his reasons, and his eventual vote against the proposed legislation. He made an excellent point regarding how this would affect the line of succession in the long term, and Panos had his own questions brewing in response. Do they intend to change the legislation regarding marriage and the taking of the male line name? If not, then Persephone will take the family name of whoever she marries. This legislation today doesn’t change that aspect of the law.
Alehandros took his seat again, and once more the room bubbled with deep private chatter and mumbling.
Panos had to speak very little with his sons. He trusted Pavlos to hold his own opinion, as he has done for quite some time, and vote for their great house. A few worded glances and side comments was all the communication that was required.
Panos waited an appropriate minute or so, before slowly rising from his seat. The room fell silent, starting with the houses closest to Marikas. Lord Votis acknowledged him and invited him down to speak before the Senate.
Hands clasped behind his back, he made his way down from the Marikas seats to where Lord Votis waited. He bowed to the King, ”Your Majesty…” the Princess, ”Your Royal Highness...” and then turned to face the Senate, ”Lords of the Senate.” He allowed the room a moment, making absolutely sure all attention was on him. The silence that followed spoke highly, as it were, of the power of his position.
”Before us today is a proposal to change the current legislation regarding the immediate line of succession. As Master of Law, it is the laws and traditions of this prosperous Kingdom that I am tasked with upholding and maintaining. Legislation changes are healthy for a Kingdom as bountiful and superior as ours; they ensure that this country and its King continue to provide for their people in the best possible way. In some cases, dated laws need to be amended for the good of the Kingdom. This is normal. This is what we are here for. If legislation changes were not a part of such a process, there would be little need for a Senate.
Changes in legislation are healthy - to a certain extent.”
Panos paused for effect. How he loved to do that.
”This law proposes to allow the Crown to pass to immediate female heirs if there are no immediate male heirs within that Royal family, before it passes to the next family in line. As the King already stated, there is great merit to this; the Crown has passed between many different families over many years according to the law as it currently stands, and this law would, in theory, create some stability in the Royal line, so to speak. Again, in theory. The reality is any female heirs will, of course, need to marry as well to further their Royal line. As such, the law of marriage in this country is that the wife should take the name of the husband; therefore, for example, should this legislation pass and Her Royal Highness Princess Persephone becomes our next ruler, when she marries, it is her husbands family name that will then became the Royal line.”
”As it would seem to me, this legislation is doing little save for extending House Xanthos rule by a few more years, at best. The stability with which His Majesty is insinuating will come about as a result is short lived. The Crown will pass to another House, another family, as soon as the Princess marries. This is an unnecessary and quite frankly, insulting disruption of the great traditions that this country has been built upon. There are reasons the Crown only passes down the line of male heirs. Reasons I will lay out as follows;
Females have the added complication of childbirth, and as such, have a higher rate of mortality, arguably, than their male heir counterparts. More to the point, women are not allowed to serve in Athenian militaries. Military experience and expertise is a defining trait when it comes to what constitutes a competent ruler, and one worthy of this Kingdom and its protection. This is something that no female heir has any first hand understanding of whatsoever and is quite precisely why the Crown, by tradition of old, passes down the male line. Can we trust the ruling of our beautiful country and the defense of this country, to someone who arguably cannot competently defend themselves, nor hold their own in a battle, nor lead their men into such a battle? As a military man myself, as a vast majority of us are in this room today, I find great discomfort in this simple, physiological and social difference.”
Panos’ eyes pierced the room with intent. The eyes he did lock on to in the crowd he held for a long moment before sweeping on, extending the silence, letting his words sink deep.
After a long minute or so, he breathed deep to speak again.
”Do we really want to cause complete upheaval and devalue our long standing and proud traditions, traditions all the men in this room can credit their existence to, all so a Princess can become a Queen? Do we want to destabilize our Kingdom in such a jarring way, causing some very major problems for the security of our country, as well as likely many more unforeseeable issues in the future? I pose these questions to you, My Lords. I hope this aids those of you who have yet to cast a vote today. As I ask myself these questions, my greatest concern is for the good of this Kingdom, and I do not feel this change in the law has the Kingdom's best interests at heart. Therefore, I will not support this legislation.“
Panos bowed deeply to this Lords, turning to face the Princess and The King again and reciprocating another deep, respectful bow. With his head held high, his hands clasped resolutely behind his back, he made his way back up to his seat as the private chatter picked up around him.
**** NPC PAVLOS OF MARIKAS PAST THIS POINT ****
Pavlos' eyes did not follow his father as he climbed the stairs to take his sit beside him again. Instead, they swept the room, hovering over many familiar faces of varying degrees of certainty or confusion. What was he looking for? Well, he couldn't be certain until he found it.
There it was. On a few faces. Some nodding still even after his father has finished speaking and had now retaken his seat. That was what he was looking for - the confirmation that there were other houses and families, perhaps many more than what he could see, that agreed with the sentiments put forth by both Alehandros and his father.
This, in fact, was in little doubt. Both he and his father knew there were many if not most in the Senate who would not support such a proposal, but the events surrounding Elias most recently were a variable they had not expected.
A few rough minutes passed, discussion echoing around the room like a forceful wind. Two Masters of the Senate had spoken and one Lord had cast his vote. The time had come for Pavlos to cast his for his own House.
Standing slowly, his back straight and stiff as a board, his expression serious and strong, he strode from his seat and down toward the center of the room, as the others had done. He nodded to Lord Votis, who then proceeded to announce him to the floor. Pavlos bowed deeply and respectfully to both the King and the Princess as the room hushed around him, before turning to face the lords.
"His Majesty, Her Royal Highness and Lords of the Senate. I must confide in you that I concur with the concerns addressed by both Lord Alehandros and my father. The candid disregard for the significance of our traditions - and why they are traditions - is distressing. This is a great country. It is great because it has been built from the ground up by great families like House Antonis and my own. Traditions are what have made it possible for us to be here today, and become what we are today. All of us in this room have profited and prospered based of the traditions as they currently, and always have, stand, and therefore I fail to see why anyone in this room would want to see those traditions thrown by the way side, especially to immediately benefit a family that has only very recently became a part of the most significant and important one.
This legislation, as I see it, is a slight against perhaps the most respected Dynasteia in his this room - House Antonis. Lord Alehandros is next in line for the throne. He has proven himself many a time in all manners of his life to be a fit and just ruler, as is the standard of the men in his house. By right, the Crown should pass to him upon the unfortunate and, Gods will it, still far removed event of the passing of our gracious King Minas.
Pavlos paused and turned then, bowing respectfully once more to his King.
"It is deserved by no one more, and it is, in my humble opinion, the best thing for the future of this Kingdom."
If the current law regarding the line of succession is discarded, then I fear this would severely devalue the significance of everything this country is built on, undermining the achievements of the most respected families in this room. For these reasons, and the reasons previously stated by Lord Alehandros and my father, I do so declare, that House Marikas will not support this legislation."
The room erupted once again. Bowing a final time to the King and the Princess, Pavlos made his way up the stairs back to his seats.