Kairos 67: King of Gold

Kairos waited for the audience to begin in thoughtful silence, Andromache holding her arm around his own. His companions digested the news, some more worried than others.

“To think he had a lover in Orichalcos…” Cassandra shook her head. “I can’t believe our bad luck. That’s not good at all.”

“There may be time to salvage this,” Tiberius stated, immediately trying to find a way out of this disaster. “He threatened one of his king’s guests inside their own castle. If this isn’t a breach of Xenia—”

“That’s the thing, all he did was threaten me,” Kairos interrupted him. “It’s no different than what Medea did in Achlys. The Furies only threatened to avenge a breach of Xenia when she physically assaulted me. I suppose you need hostile actions, not words, to make it a violation of hospitality.”

Tiberius scowled, while Cassandra considered his words. “That also means that while he can plan our demise after we leave Vali, he can’t do anything to us as long as we remain in the king’s good graces,” she pointed out. “So we are safe for now, but we should expect a fight when we leave the island. Worse, he will probably support Mithridates militarily in the long run.”

“Only if he lives,” Agron replied. “Just let me duel him honorably as your champion, Kairos, and I will dispatch him.”

“You would need the king’s consent for a duel,” Tiberius pointed out. “He’s unlikely to let his guests and star general fight. Besides, he is an undefeated [Demigod].”

“He is an undefeated general famed for his strategic brilliance, not an undefeated warrior,” the minotaur explained his reasoning. “He would have died if that mermaid of his hadn’t saved him from drowning. I doubt he is as powerful in single combat than at the head of an army. Hence the best shot we have at killing this foe, is by isolating him from his troops. The same way Kairos’ father did.”

The reasoning made sense, but it didn’t convince the others.

“Only a poor general leaves himself open to attacks, and Zama was only a [Hero] when he faced Chron,” Cassandra pointed out. “He is undoubtedly stronger now, and with at least one godlike artifact. You might win, but… I’m sorry, Agron, I wouldn’t bet on you.”

“And most importantly, he is protected by Xenia just like we are,” Tiberius said. “The Furies and deities protecting the laws of hospitality will take action if we challenge him to a fight now. We will be cursed, not to mention hunted down.”

To his credit, Agron considered the criticism aimed at his plan. “Then we prepare for an ambush after we leave,” he suggested. “Let’s confront him at sea, where we can deploy our [Assassin]. A targeted strike.”

“It might be our best bet,” Cassandra admitted.

As things currently stood, both sides were in a deadlock. Neither the Foresight’s crew nor Zama and his allies could take action against the other side, unless the King of Vali allowed it. A fight would wait for another day.

The general’s words had affected Kairos deeply though, and Andromache sensed it. “You shouldn’t feel sorry, my love,” she tried to reassure him. “What you did was the best, and you couldn’t know that it would end this way.”

“This situation is my fault,” he countered. “I didn’t consider the possibility that Orichalcos’ people had allies above ground who would try to avenge them. And… he’s correct. I did kill innocent citizens, even if indirectly.”

“I say someone famed as an undefeated general has more than enough blood on his hands,” Andromache said with a snort. “How many screaming widows has he left in his wake?”

Agron nodded in agreement. “He’s just condemning us for stuff he does himself. Don’t let his words get to you, Kairos. What’s done is done, and looking back will make you blind to the threats in front of you.”

Kairos couldn’t argue with that. In the end, he had made his choice and would own up to them. Facing a [Demigod] greatly worried him, but his crew had already defeated one. Zama was a dangerous foe, but Kairos would face him like any other.

However, Vali’s general making a blood oath of revenge against the Travian King didn’t bode well politics-wise.

“It’s unlikely Vali will side with us now,” Kairos said grimly.

“Unfortunately,” Tiberius agreed. “But maybe we can lessen the blow. A general’s word is not the king’s, and perhaps His Majesty Philip will be less hotblooded.”

Kairos could only hope so, as the terrace’s doors opened and the myrmidon diplomat from before crossed them. “King Philip awaits you,” he informed them, before making his way outside. “I wish you good luck.”

They would need it.

Myrmidon guards ushered the delegation outside, where the King of Vali awaited them.

A balcony more than thirty meters in diameter, the hanging terrace oversaw most of the city below the palace tower. Sculpted in a mix of Lycean and Alexandrian architectural styles, it included a small but remarkably beautiful flower garden, marble statues of various divinities, and even a vast pool. Four women swam or discussed inside the waters, all more beautiful than the last; Kairos assumed that they were part of the king’s harem, as one of them looked very much like an older Princess Anat.

As for the king himself, he awaited the delegation near the terrace’s edge, sitting on an exquisite throne of carved wood surrounded by feathered sofas and comfortable, if smaller, seats. Myrmidon guards and servants surrounded the ruler, pouring wine into his cup. A pretty, blue-haired concubine sat on his lap while kissing him on the neck.

“Ah, King Kairos!” King Philip of Vali raised his cup at the Travian with one hand, and fondled his concubine’s ass with the other. “Welcome! Have a drink!”

Vali’s ruler had the same eyes and easy smile as his son, but that was where the resemblance stopped. Nearly two meters tall and as overweight as a hippopotamus, the middle-aged king went with his chest naked, wearing only a leopard pelt as pants and a golden crown on his whitened hair. His tanned skin had turned red from the alcohol, and grease from his last meal tainted his beard.

In short, he looked more like Nessus’ cohort than of the likes of Sertorius.

It was all a sham though. The Valian king’s smile didn’t reach his ears, and his eyes betrayed a hint of cold calculation behind the drunkenness. The alcohol hadn’t dulled his mind in the slightest.

King Philip Hanno II of Vali

Legend: None (Elite).

Race: Human.

Class: Rogue (Duelist, Explorer, Rogue Trader, Spymaster).

Level: 40.

This one is old and shrewd, Kairos thought, and cautious too. “Thank you, Your Majesty,” the pirate said politely as he and his allies took seats around Philip. Myrmidon servants immediately offered them drinks, a strong wine thick enough to drive a man mad with a single cup. “I hope we didn’t interrupt anything.”

“Oh, Ariadne?” King Philip looked at his concubine with amusement, before chasing her away with a light slap on the leg. The woman giggled before leaving, and Kairos realized that she was probably no older than sixteen. Her tribe must have married her to the king as soon as she flowered. “She’s pretty easy on the eyes, but you aren’t so unfortunate yourself. The sight of these fair ladies makes me regret not being born in Travia.”

King Philip leered at Andromache and Cassandra with a lustful grin. The former did her best to ignore the man, as if he were an insect unworthy of her attention, while Cassandra kept her cool. Tiberius was quite embarrassed by the king’s behavior, while Kairos cleared his throat.

“Your Majesty…” Kairos trailed, making his displeasure known.

“What? You should enjoy the sight of beautiful things, even if you can’t touch them.” And to Kairos’ shock, King Philip’s lustful gaze turned to him. “A great shame indeed…”

Kairos remembered Julia’s stories about the Valian king’s carnal eccentricities, and suddenly realized that she might have undersold them.

Or maybe he was only trying to unsettle Kairos. If so, he failed and quickly lost patience with his game. “You are married to my dear Sertorius’ sister, are you not?” Philip asked Kairos, his gaze wandering to Tiberius. “Who is married to his sister. Quite the large clan you have formed.”

“My brother-in-law served at your court from what I heard,” Kairos replied softly, while Andromache looked away at the pool.

“My good friend Sertorius was Lyce’s ambassador to Vali for years, and I miss him greatly,” the king admitted. “Smartest man I ever met, and his replacement is as dull as a prison door. I exchange letters with my old friend often, but he doesn’t return them all.”

“I’m afraid his political rivals slandered Lord Sertorius,” Tiberius explained. “They said that he and His Majesty were… intimate.”

King Philip exploded into laughter, throwing his drink on the stone ground. “Ah! I wish, I tried, I begged, but I never succeeded! That man is made of ice. Neither men nor women can tempt him.”

No, because Sertorius only lusts for power, Kairos thought.

“My sister informed me that Lord Sertorius was a vigorous lover,” Tiberius replied softly. “She prays to the gods every day for a son.”

“Son, or daughter, I will send gifts at the birth either way. I have not forgotten the favors Sertorius did to me with Lyce’s government.” King Philip waited for a servant to refill his cup. “But you didn’t travel all the way to my kingdom to talk about family matters, did you?”

“No,” Kairos confirmed. “We came to talk about alliances.”

“I heard you made a proposal to the myrmidons to settle in your land,” King Philip said casually. “As for alliances, maybe you should have thought of that before infuriating my general. He asked me to cut off your head, you know?”

As Kairos worried. Tension spread among the delegation as its members exchanged glances, but King Philip didn’t appear concerned. “Since I still have it on my shoulder, I assume you refused him?” Kairos asked.

“I did. At least for now.”

“What did your general tell you, Your Majesty?” Cassandra asked.

“That you allied with the Abysseans to destroy Orichalcos, sacked its capital, massacred the royal family, and formed an alliance with underwater beasts.” King Philip sipped his cup, his gaze cold and unreadable. “Is it true?”

Kairos didn’t deny it. “We did,” he said. “We formed an alliance with the Cetae, offering them our help against Orichalcos if they would leave the surface alone from now on.”

Philip almost choked on his drink, finding the answer hilarious. “My general forgot that part,” he said after wiping out wine from his beard.

“Of course he did,” Agron scoffed.

“We acted in the best interests of the surface kingdoms, including yours, Your Majesty,” Tiberius said, trying to present the destruction of Orichalcos in the best possible light. “They supported an Old God restoration plan.”

King Philip looked at his own reflection inside his wine. “I once tried to establish a trade treaty with Orichalcos a few years ago. It was a disaster. They asked for my kingdom to become a tributary state, and their ambassadors refused all my demands so long as I asked to be treated as their equal. After six months of being all but ignored, I threw in the towel and turned my attention to less judgmental trading partners.”

“You don’t mourn them,” Andromache said, her voice stone cold.

“No,” the king admitted. “But I confess I’m skeptical. The Cetae aren’t known for keeping their promises.”

“We extracted oaths from their leaders,” Kairos replied. “Including Hybris.”

“A [Demigod] of deception,” King Philip pointed out. “For all you know he has a Skill allowing him to break his oaths.”

“I formed a [Pantheon] with him, alongside Andromache here,” Kairos said bluntly. “So I trust him as much as I can trust anyone.”

For the first time in the entire conversation, the king found himself speechless. He observed Kairos and Andromache as if new heads had sprouted from their shoulders, blinking a few times as he did so. Worse, the Scylla answered with a smile that showed her monstrous fangs, delighting in her host’s confusion.

“Most would find this a cause for concern,” King Philip said. Clearly, he understood what [Pantheons] were. “And judge you a madman for admitting it out loud.”

“People will know soon,” Kairos replied. “And I’m not ashamed of the truth.”

“Confident, eh? I like that. You’re bold, but I suppose that’s how you managed to gather so many [Heroes] around you.” The king regained his composure, and his jovial behavior. “I still think you’re naive to trust a Cetus… but if six months go by without an Abyssean attack, I will start considering your words as true.”

“You will benefit from the absence of Cetae attacks on ships,” Kairos pointed out.

“True, the toll they take makes long-distance trade a hazardous activity. And whatever the case, a man mad enough to ally with the Cetae is not to be trifled with. For that fact and out of respect for my dear Sertorious, you will remain safe so long as you stay in Vali.” King Philip observed all the [Heroes] around him with a harsh gaze. “And so long as you don’t make a mess.”

“With all due respect, Your Majesty, General Zama threatened us first,” Tiberius pointed out.

“I don’t care,” the king said bluntly. “I forbid you to take any action against Zama and your fellow Travians, just as I forbade them from touching you. An incident would taint my kingdom’s reputation, so you will both bear the other side’s presence with grace until you leave my borders.”

“And afterward?” Cassandra asked sharply.

King Philip scoffed. “What happens once you leave my protection does not concern me.”

Cassandra exchanged a glance with Kairos. As they worried earlier, they would have to prepare for an attack as soon as they left Vali.

“Your Majesty, Queen Teuta came to you as a representative of King Mithridates of Pergamon,” Kairos said.

“Maybe,” Philip played coy. “What of it?”

“What offer did she make you?”

“Why would I tell you?”

“So I can make you a better one.”

The Valian King grinned ear to ear, this time genuinely. “And what if I lie and make an outrageous demand, to squeeze you dry like a fruit?”

“I will know,” Kairos explained with a cold tone, “and I will remember.”

“I won’t say,” King Philip replied, unimpressed. “But depending on what you propose, I shall announce which side I choose.”

Spoken like a cold-hearted mercenary. “What I am about to say now does not leave this room,” Kairos said, glancing at the king’s concubines.

“They don’t speak your language, and my guards keep their mouths shut,” the ruler replied with amusement. “Who do you take me for?”

“Your Majesty, we must insist,” Cassandra said, knowing what Kairos was about to reveal.

“They stay,” the ruler replied harshly. “Now tell me.”

As he wished. Kairos locked eyes with the foreign king. “I am part of a large alliance of [Heroes] across the Sunsea, and we plan to carve out the divided Thessalan League between us. But you already guessed that.”

King Philip gave his empty cup to a guard, his face unreadable. But still, Kairos had noticed the flash of greed in his eyes. “Carry on.”

“Mithridates probably promised you gold and trading benefits,” Kairos guessed. “I offer you far more. I offer you Thessalan lands and cities by right of conquest, on top of the gold.”

“Conquest is never certain.”

“Nothing is certain in this world,” Andromache replied dryly.

“You have more to win by allying with us,” Tiberius argued. “Mithridates won’t promise you Thessalan lands, as he wants them for himself.”

“Maybe he promised me Travian lands instead,” King Philip pointed out, though Kairos could smell a lie. “You have a beautiful colony.”

“I doubt that,” Kairos replied, not taking the bait. “Queen Teuta will never let Travian colonies pass to a foreign power, even if they don’t belong to her.”

King Philip chuckled. “And if I were to accept your offer, how would I make war without Zama? Because he will never fight at your side.”

“He’s your servant,” Andromache snorted. “He’s bound to obey you.”

“You said it yourself, woman. Nothing is ever certain.”

“Then send him elsewhere,” Cassandra suggested. “You have other commanders, like your son. I’m sure Prince Hadad would support us.”

“My son dreams of glory, yes. But he is young and overambitious, while I haven’t reached old age without learning a few things.” King Philip slouched on his throne. “What else do you offer?”

“Trade agreements,” Kairos said. “Magical items, a military alliance against other threats…”

However, he could tell that the king remained unconvinced. King Philip heard his words, but didn’t truly listen. “I see,” was all he said, before falling into a deep silence. Kairos could almost see gears turning in his head, as he weighed his options.

Tiberius tensed up. “So? What will Your Majesty do?”

He chuckled. “Nothing.”

Kairos blinked, as he thought he had misheard for a moment. Everyone else glanced at Vali’s king in surprise, not having expected that answer.

“War is bad for trade,” King Philip said. “I admit your proposal is more interesting than Mithridates’, and if Zama had not sworn an oath of revenge against you, I would have been tempted. But as it is, neither option satisfies me. If I support you I alienate a local [Demigod] with too much popular support for my liking, and if I support Mithridates I will only earn Lyce’s enmity, which will cost my kingdom more in the long term than anything I will get from Pergamon.”

Agron scoffed scornfully. “That’s a merchant’s logic.”

“If more kings thought like merchants, the world would be a lot safer,” King Philip replied with a shrug. “My duty as a king—the only one some would say—is to make my subjects safe and prosperous. Getting involved in a foreign war does not align with our national interests.”

Kairos struggled not to let out a sigh of relief. He would have hoped for an alliance, but this was the least bad outcome. “So you will prevent Zama from going after us?” he asked.

“No,” King Philip replied, to Kairos’ horror. “Vali itself will remain neutral, but I won’t prevent volunteers and mercenaries from joining either side. If one of my generals wants to fill his pockets working for the Thessalan League, I will let him. We are at peace after all, and jobless soldiers cause troubles at home.”

Tiberius immediately attempted to salvage the situation. “Your Majesty, is letting one of your generals run rampant in another country truly wise?”

“From my point of view? Yes.” To his credit, King Philip explained his cold logic. “I owe my throne to my family’s alliances and a delicate balance of power. I am no [Demigod]. If Zama wanted to kill me in single combat, he would certainly prove victorious and take the throne by force. Why didn’t he launch a coup then?”

“Because you extracted oaths of loyalty before he became a [Demigod],” Andromache guessed.

“Because the kingdom would collapse into a bloody civil war afterward,” Cassandra said.

Vali’s ruler smirked. “You are both correct. Zama owes me service and loyalty, though it is not absolute, and a conflict between us would prove disastrous for the country as a whole. Thus it is better to let him play at war far away from home, where he doesn’t bother me.”

“You hope that a conflict abroad will bleed him dry,” Kairos guessed, as he started to see the bigger picture. “That your overmighty vassal will exhaust his strength fighting our alliance, and thus be less likely to threaten you.”

King Philip winked at him in response.

That bastard. And yet, Kairos couldn’t fault him for his decision. It was a cunning move, though there was one flaw in the plan. “And if one of us kills your general?” Agron asked, almost eager to do it.

“I doubt that you will, but if you succeed…” King Philip chuckled. “Then I will be sure to back the winning side.”

-----------------------

Kairos left the meeting disappointed, but not truly afraid.

After reasserting his neutrality in the future Thessalan war, King Philip offered to host the Travian delegation for the entire duration of Prince Hadad’s week-long hunt and the following festivities. Afterward, he expected his guests to ‘carry on with their journey.’

Kairos could read between the lines. The Kingdom of Vali would shelter the delegation for now, but not indefinitely. Afterward, they would have to fend off Zama on their own.

“It’s not as bad as I feared,” Cassandra said grimly as they exited the king’s chambers, “but not as good as I hoped.”

“We need to strike this fool of a [Demigod] before he can mobilize,” Andromache said bluntly. “Though I would rather kill him, there has to be another way to impair him.”

“Agreed,” Cassandra nodded. “We can’t harm each other, but we can gather information and prepare. Queen Teuta also offered to meet with us, which could be a golden opportunity to sabotage Mithridates’ plans from the inside.”

“And any mercenary we hire now is someone Zama won’t throw at us later,” Agron added, an idea forming in his mind. “He said enemies wanted him out of the picture in the past. Maybe they’re still alive... and potential allies.”

Only Tiberius hadn’t spoken a word on the way out. He had remained thoughtful, as if considering an option that had eluded the rest of the group. “Tiberius?” Kairos quizzed him. “Any ideas?”

“Sir, Lord Kairos… we are forgetting something.” The Lycean diplomat looked at his superior confidently. “Vali’s king rules with a light touch, and clearly gives his commanders a great amount of leeway.”

“Unfortunately,” Kairos conceded. “Where are you getting at?”

“There is another commander with a [Legend] in this kingdom,” Tiberius pointed out wisely. “And if Zama can pick a side, he might as well take another. He is, after all, a young conqueror and eager to prove himself.”

Kairos’ eyes lit up at his friend’s plan. Indeed, there might still be a way to turn the situation around.

They had failed to convince the father.

But they might still recruit the son.

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A/N: chapter made possible by you, dear patrons.

Yes, the Vali arc is going to be more cloak-and-daggers stuff than the fight-heavy Orichalcos one.