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There is a pause here.
“You must forget her, Nikandros, if you care for her – as best as you can. This world is not a place for such joys; battered as we are by kings and gods. Only the strong can defend their own, and even, there are no guarantees.” Teukros’ words are kind, but you detect the lurking depression, the awful fatalism behind them – this is a man who believes that his station at birth is inescapable; that his destiny is to be a bastard forever.
He is right - the world <span class="mu-i">is</span> unjust. You think of Eucaste - and of Deianira. You pray that she has been safe, in the rural county of Hellas. But as your fame grows - so too does the precariousness of her position. Only with power, can you protect her.
“Then we have no choice, Teukros," you hiss with conviction.
He looks at you questioningly.
<span class="mu-s">“We must become strong.”</span> you say, proffering your hand and forearm. The wan light in his eyes seems to change, and grow stronger behind his dark irises; his face a solemn mask. He says nothing – but reaches out to your arm in a warrior’s grasp; clenching it tightly.
Alone, perhaps neither of you could shift the world on its axis, but together - a king's bastard and a man without a father - perhaps, it can be done.
<span class="mu-i">The pact is struck.</span> you think.
>Nikandros has reached ALLY status with Teukros of Salamis, after only a few short weeks – this bond is strong. Nikandros will enjoy significant bonii in social rolls against Teukros in the future (and vice versa!). Nikandros automatically unlocks the other Tier 0 trait that Teukros can provide – ARCHER’S TUTELAGE. Now that this level of bonding has been achieved, only significant acts of solidarity or betrayal on Nikandros’ part can further modify the relationship.
The moment is fractured by the accented voice of Philomeides, rudely thundering out amongst the feast hall.
"NOW, IT IS TIME FOR ENTERTAINMENT!"
Suddenly, swarms of servants roll into the courtyard; the feast table, and even the benches are stolen away and placed on the sides of the hall. Bizarrely, another team of slaves is lifting away at the flat floor stones of the feast hall, and these are also stacked in chest-high towers by the corners of the room. To your surprise, they quickly reveal a sand arena beneath the flooring.
An arena?
Philomeides addresses your confused and outraged party as a whole, his heavily-muscled arms raised to the air:
>cont
