I rounded up my lieutenants in the tavern district(We went there to ransom our prisoners. I sent two men with the Bandit Lord Eurysus to Diocles.).
I looked around at them and continued, “The Immortals have decreed I suffer, for their decrees are nothing but suffering for mortals. Haithus. You and The Twins, run Caravans and make a name for yourselves here. Introduce yourselves as “The Last True Liaresians” whenever you conduct business. I and Kassandra will take one of the Tirereme and sail to Mount Pelion so I can begin my training to control my powers. How long, I don’t know. You have my permission to do whatever you deem fit, Haithus. You are in charge for until I return.”
Haithus bowed, his eyes filled with a mixture of sadness and melancholy. "But your Highness," he grunted in protest, "wouldn't it be better if I accompanied you? I could help you train—"
I raised my hand for silence. “If I took you with me, The men would lose morale and desert us. With you here, you can assert loyalty. Alexios, Kyros, You two can help Haithus here. Im counting on you three to keep things well here.”
Alexios, Kyros and Haithus bowed and spoke in unison, “Yes my Lord.”
“You all are dismissed. May the Immortals see it fit I return alive.”
Thus, The meeting ended and they filed out. Kassandra stayed and perked up, “My Majesty, Why did you choose me to accompany you to Mount Pelion?”
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I replied, “Because The men here would see Haithus as a figure of leadership. They also knew him for years. You? Not so much. I deemed it fit to take you as a companion on my journeys.”
Kassandra smiled and said sarcastically, “And here I was thinking you chose me because you just wanted a pretty girl by your side to relieve your stress on your journey.”
I turned to the colour of roses at that comment, but shook it off in protest, “Kassandra, no! I took you here because I needed a quartermaster!” but my protests fell on deaf ears as she smirked and rolled her eyes. “Whatever you say, your Majesty.”
I sighed wearily. “Kassandra. Ready the Liaresian Flagship. Stock up on supplies, arrows and Javelins. I’ll go see Diocles.”
Kassandra nodded and said, “Okay, Your Majesty. Oh, and don’t roast him accidentally.”
I laughed, and said, “I couldn’t even light a candle right now, Im so tired.”
Then I walked off, going to the Agora.
At about 8 pm, I reached Diocles’s house. He was standing over Eurysus, with my two men behind him. Diocles apparently was punching the Furies out of Eurysus, because Eurysus had a bunch of teeth scattered at his feet, a river of blood flowing down from his mouth.
“Diocles! I suppose my work was competent enough for a mercenary contract?”
Diocles kicked Eurysus away in disdain, and my two men took him away into another room. Diocles turned to me.
He smiled and said, “But Why of course, friend!”
“2500 Drachmas a day.” I replied
Diocles nodded and said, “Well enough. I swear on the River Styx that as long as your men are under my charge, I will pay them accordingly. Who will take the money…?”
I replied, “Haithus, My admiral will.”
Diocles nodded, “See you around.”
I left the house, returning to the docks. Where I met up with Kassandra and her subordinates. We walked up the gang plank of my Tirereme, with 200 Oarsmen, 130 Hoplites, 40 Sailors and others, unsure of when we would return to the grand nation of Athens, and see our friends again.