Greece

"Let the war council begin".

The king's palace was a sight to behold. Although the Greeks did not put much value in being cooped up in luxury, they appreciated architecture and the King's palace was a ten feet tall, white marble testimony of that obsession.

Several men occupying different honourable positions, numbering thirty, all sat around wooden oak table with King Atlas at the head with the two major war generals at his sides.

"First off let's all address the issue on ground. The war herald has brought grave news," the General on the right said as he pointed to a pale-looking young lad who looked like he could use a day's rest. "The army sent to confront the Romans was decimated, only one third of the battalion made it back."

A wave of shock went through the council as murmurs of protest and anger rose.

"Half of the infantry troops were lost-" the General on the left continued, "and all of our archers were mutilated."

"In shorter words, we lost this battle massively," the General on the right finished.

"However- " he growled, slamming his fist on the table, "-the kingdom shall hear otherwise, we have sent word to the commander on what to do, anyone who refuses to comply..." He gestured towards the council who stared wide-eyed letting the threat hang in the air.

"Any questions?"

"Yes, if I may," An old man with a shook of white hair donning a red robe that looked like it had seen better days rose.

"Continue Altius, and no more of those riddles of yours," the General on the left urged, "I fear time is not on our side today."

"Alright then, you say we should not inform the masses and avoiding to my dear friend Andrew-" gesturing to the General on the left.

"The soldiers are due to return within six days, in time for the festival, don't mind me at all but I think some families will notice that their loved ones are.. how should I put this..." He said as his eyes shone with amusement.

"Ah yes, missing in action," he ended looking around the table with the look of satisfaction of a man who just won a wrestling match.

"You raise a valid point, but-" General on the right said with a disapproving grunt "how would you propose we solve this problem you've done us the pleasure of raising."

"Yeah valid for anyone with brains the size of a pea." He muttered before saying aloud, "well, if anyone could come up with a genius plan such as this then they should have no problem providing a solution to this simple problem."

"Why you old-"

"Enough, Altius you can have your seat unless you want a repeat of last time," said the king.

"Yeah and see where that got us," He said before reluctantly taking his seat.

Although Altius was not much in terms of appearance even the king couldn't deny that he was indispensable and thus this gave him a fighting ground in the midst of nobles and war generals , though not that ever stopped him before. In fact his position was more important than most in the room. Where the ambassador wrote peace treaties and the war general conducted meetings Altius prevented the king and those around him from making mistakes that kept the kingdom in dangerous situation and usually they listened.

And when they don't listen, well.. they made stupid mistakes like declaring a war on a kingdom with military might ten times theirs.

"So does anyone have a solution to this-" The king said glancing at the old man "-riddle."

Silence followed.

"Perhaps we should sleep over this matter as sundown is fast approaching" A voice suggested from the back.

"Well spoken, in that case are there any other questions before we conclude this meeting?" He said his voice suddenly weary.

"If I may, your highness, I have but one question" Callistus rose from his seat grinning, still under the influence of wine.

"Any word from my son? I noticed no one brought him up so it is safe to assume that he will be returning along with the soldiers" he said looking round the table.

A heavy silence fell on the table as no one met his eyes until the War General on the king's right hand shifted to reply but was interrupted by the king.

"Callistus, Master of the Darian household, it is with great sadness and grief that I inform you of the death of the Empathor of Greece, your son" Though the king's words where one thing, they held anything but sadness.

"We shall meet here 6 hours after sunrise, everything discussed should not be heard from any creature except this thirty , Enjoy your evening." He said as he rose with finality in his voice leaving no room for further discussion.

Each man left the council room with the image of the lifeless look on Callistus face on their minds.

"Do not despair Callistus  everyone has to make sacrifices, it was simply your turn". Andrew rumbled before turning his back on the shell of a man.