> When I learned what it was that Diogenes had devised, I thought myself lucky. I considered myself a cunning manipulator, even. Gods I was a fool. How does one think themselves the victor, when placing their heart ‘twixt the claws of a lion? How could I have ever thought myself brilliant, when I had invited a cataclysm into my home, and set it on a path to pull all of Graecia into hell with it? My husband and I needed a Champion. My daughter needed a Knight. It seemed so perfect. So clever. Now, I weep at my own stupidity. Even now Stars burn across the humanosphere, and I weep.
True to his request and with a commendable level of honest assessment, Cassandra had in fact recommended Arthur to one of the best legal practitioners on Asfalís, and perhaps within the Ascendancy as a whole. The journey to the quaintly named offices of ‘Diogenes Legal Services’ had been largely uneventful following his departure from the Ascendancy Royal Navy’s headquarters, thanks partly he was sure to the intimidating appearance of his two companions.
As if the soft hum of movement from both Endymion and Perseus’ power armor was not enough, the sheer presence exuded by the pair was such that passersby actively moved away from the trio while they traversed the streets of Port Asfalís.
It had taken only a little convincing for the two Kidemónes to consent to allowing Arthur the chance to see the artificial port city from the ground, and only cost him the concession of not drifting off from their vicinity.
Given they seemed to subconsciously adjust to his every subtle shift in direction without issue, that was a small ask indeed. The Kidemónes were the elite royal guard, after all. It made sense that they had a knack for bodyguard duties.
A pleasant revelation from his time with the two was that both Graecian natives appeared to genuinely share his appreciation for the city’s beauty, and Perseus especially was more than happy to serve as a font of information and insight; pointing out every important landmark, explaining cultural oddities Arthur couldn’t quite understand, and even explaining some of the inspirations from human history that informed many of the statues, sculptures, and pieces of art displayed proudly throughout the city.
Their journey passed quickly in that way, and before long Arthur had found himself approaching the very legal offices within which he sat at that very moment, opposite from what might have been the most interestingly unassuming person he’d ever met.
Diogenes Carius, the owner, operator, and sole solicitor of Diogenes Legal Services was a short and portly Graecian man of advanced age. His hair, as wispy and silver as any Arthur had ever seen; was neatly brushed everywhere save for the sides of his head where it seemed determined to puff out as if the elderly lawyer had been electrocuted.
You might be reading a stolen copy. Visit Royal Road for the authentic version.
His simple brown suit and neat gray pocket square seemed oddly appropriate for the offices themselves, which were painted a faded cream color that somehow granted an homely or comforting feeling to the entire premises.
In fact were it not for the clearly modern holo screens, autoprinters, and AI assistant hologram manning the front desk; Arthur might have thought himself stepping back in time to the 20th Century.
“This contract does look quite generous.” Diogenes said in a voice that might have once been bass, but was now softer from the passage of time. “My only point of contention on your behalf, dear boy, would be the lack of an exit clause in the more lucrative of the two offers.”
“Isn’t that to be expected?” Arthur asked while looking into the other man’s startlingly blue, exceedingly sharp eyes. “One does not simply swear an oath to a House and walk away absent cause.”
“Cassandra Leos is the daughter of an ancient and deeply venerated military bloodline. I am not remotely surprised that she is seeking to tie your fate to her House’s own in whatever manner she can. Sending you to me, however…”
“A mistake?” Arthur asked with a searching gaze.
“No. Very much intentional.” Diogenes said firmly. “I believe that we are seeing the separation of role and person. The Lion Duchess may need to do whatever is in her power to tie you to her bloodline, but Cassandra—the woman—is seeking to give you the chance to build your own future.”
Arthur frowned at the seriousness of the elder man’s tone, and looked to where the contracts floated between them in holographic projection. “I didn’t really think it was such a dramatic action.”
“And that is precisely why she sent you to me, my boy. As you rightly stated, you cannot join the world of the Eupatridae and leave at their leisure. Hetairoi usually serve for an agreed-upon term, but this contract has no term limit. Usually Hetairoi swear to abide by a specific timeframe, and those oaths are quite binding both legally and morally.”
“So if I’d signed the contract, I’d have been indentured then and there?”
Diogenes chuckled dryly. “No, hardly that. You would, however, have been legally tied down so firmly that you’d have never been able to charter legal passage out of Graecia, let alone operate an Eidolon independently again. I suppose the difference could be seen as semantic, but the devil is often in the details as the saying goes.”
Arthur leaned back in his chair—which had a feature that adjusted it to fit his posture perfectly each time he moved—and reached up to rub his temples. He was no stranger, according to his murky memories, when it came to legalese or complicated matters of law and contract; but part of him had not thought a mid-Rim star nation to be anywhere near as capable of ruthless legality as his homeworld in the Pendragon System.
Yet another baseless assumption that might have gotten him into trouble.
He made a mental note to not allow his resurfacing memories to encourage them.