Arthur fell thoughtfully silent at the Kidemónes’ words, and the pair seemed content to let him. Parthia had been a sore topic since he’d set foot on Asfalís, and the one interaction he’d seen between Graecians and Parthians had left no illusions as to the Ascendancy’s stance on their sector contemporaries. It reminded him of Pendragon, he realized with sudden clarity, and his own home nation’s abject dislike for several of its rivals within the inner Core.

More interesting was the fact that it seemed to be a very pointed dislike.

He’d seen no such vitriol when the Kidemónes were speaking of other nations, even those that were clearly thought of as the sector’s problem children. The more Arthur considered it, the more he came to wonder what exactly had happened—or was still happening—that made Parthia so immensely reviled by people who, in his limited experience, seemed relatively reasonable.

Even with the knowledge of their Frontier raiding and slavery, there had to be more.

It was a matter that merited future investigation, though at a later date.

Instead, he broached a topic he was more immediately intent on.

“So, I have news about House Leos.”

Both men turned to him in surprise at the sudden statement, and likely at the unexpected change in topic.

“...go on.” Perseus said carefully.

“I’m about to sign a contract to become one of their Hetairoi.” Arthur said honestly.

Endymion spat out his water, and Perseus’ eyes widened. “Well now.” he said with a look of eager interest. “That is quite the juicy revelation.”

“You’re going to do what?” Endymion asked incredulously.

“Isn’t that what you wanted, Endymion?” Arthur asked carefully. “You did lead me there.”

“Yes!” Endymion said with a cough. “Yes. Yes! It wasn’t a negative reaction, Arthur. It was just something completely unexpected. I thought you’d need more time to decide!”

“I’m not from Laconia,” Perseus admitted, “so Endymion is more qualified to speak on this. It’s still pretty juicy, though.”

“Endymion?” Arthur prompted.

“House Leos is the Blood of the Lion.” Endymion said without any preamble, and with a gleam of intensity to his brown eyes. “They claim descent directly from the original Leonidas, from Terra, and have been one of the pillars of Graecia since the Ascendancy’s founding.”

“That doesn’t tell me much about them that I couldn’t have learned with my omni-comp, Endymion. Nor does it explain your insistence on my meeting with Cassandra.” Arthur pressed.

“Hmph. Right. Well. Let me then say this: if you truly are to be their Hetairoi, Arthur Magellan, I will make it my personal mission to ensure nothing threatens your life, with the gods as my witnesses.”

Perseus hissed in air in surprise, and even Arthur had enough social awareness to recognise a rather intense promise.

A case of content theft: this narrative is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation.

“That serious, huh?”

“House Leos is one of the last truly honorable bloodlines left in Laconia.” Endymion continued unabashedly. “Especially when compared to some other Houses, which I won’t name—” he shot a meaningful look at Perseus with that, who laughed while Endymion continued “—but who, I will say, are far less deserving of the Lambda. Menelaus Leos is a hero, and his family has been tormented and abused to an extent that is unconscionable.”

“Tormented how?” Arthur prompted while absorbing the information.

“Every attempt at recruiting Hetairoi has been cut off at the knees. They’ve been backed into a corner of their enemies’ devising, and nobody seems to be able to help. Even King Leonidas, at whose pleasure I serve, has been perplexingly silent on the matter. I would never dream to question our sovereigns’ will, but the utter lack of any action on the Kings’ part—especially Leonidas’—is extremely odd.”

“Why?” Arthur asked with extreme focus while Perseus listened quietly.

“Because House Leos is a Great House. They’re not just part of Laconia, they help define Laconia.” Endymion said passionately. “The whole Ascendancy has benefited from their dedication to the ideals and spirit of Graecia’s founding principles. They don’t just give lip service to the creed, they live it. Duty is everything to House Leos. They’re a bloodline that puts the ‘noble’ into ‘nobility’.”

“I heard that Menelaus and Circe are both skilled pilots. Is that not enough?”

“Of course it isn’t.” Endymion growled dismissively. “Menelaus was named the Sword Saint for his capability on the battlefield when piloting the Ares Martialis, and Circe has been heralded as the embodiment of Athena herself—but neither of them should be risking their lives in an Eidolon, not when their entire bloodline is at stake.”

“Plus, didn’t Duke Leos sustain an injury that ruined his piloting ability?” Perseus asked.

“Yes.” Endymion confirmed with a growl. “Yes he did. The claim was an enemy ambush, but many of us suspect foul play.”

“Wouldn’t investigating that fall under your—ah.” Arthur cut himself off when he realized the answer to his own question. “The Myrmidónes.”

Endymion simply nodded and said nothing.

“Diogenes told me that their ability to uphold their dominion is at risk.” Arthur said carefully when Endymion remained silent. “He believed that my addition to House Leos would help stabilize that.”

“If you’re even a quarter as powerful as Lord Atreus led us to believe, Arthur, it absolutely would!” Endymion growled fiercely. “You cannot comprehend how important House Leos is to those of us born and raised in Laconian tradition. For them to wither like this, to evaporate like this… it’s wrong. It’s just wrong.” he finished angrily.

“Then you think my joining them to be a good idea?” Arthur asked with a wry smile.

“I think it’s a privilege, Arthur.” Endymion said with an earnestness that Arthur had not heard from him. “I think you’d be a bloody fool to pass on it. Even forgetting my passion for House Leos, and putting aside any political reasoning; you becoming their Hetairoi and bringing them out of their crisis would be an act of unbridled might. You’d make yourself a legend.”

“It’d certainly help you find your own space in Graecia.” Perseus agreed. “With or without Leos as your overlord.”

Arthur leaned back at their words thoughtfully and folded his arms, his eyes shifting away to stare at the sky above without seeing it. His purpose in Graecia had demanded he find some way of ingratiating himself to someone with power, and certainly this seemed to fit the bill. Whether or not House Leos was a calculated risk or a certainty, however, was yet to be seen. He could always decline the engagement, after all, as long as he hadn’t sworn an oath.

Endymion’s words stuck with him as well. The passion. The zeal.

He’d seen that before in his home system, when people spoke of House Zacaris.

His eyes lowered to look at the people passing in the street, and Arthur made his decision.

He would go to House Leos as planned, and if they proved to be all that Endymion had said, he would offer them his blade.

And then, he would give them back their future.

In the process, perhaps he’d learn more about his own.

A smile spread across Arthur’s lips at the thought. Perhaps it was the Knight of the Round in him. Perhaps it was the classical and romantic nature of Graecia. Perhaps it was just his own muted, abused, but still-there desire to be a hero.

Whatever it was, one thing remained constant.

He really did love fairytale endings.