His companions unconscious on the ground, the square long cleared out from the incident only Mirin and Jesus stood. Opposite each other Mirin circled him, while he simply stood.
"Patience is one of my Virtues, so what will you do? Are you ready to resolve this, or continue to act like a barbarian?" Jesus said arms down at his side his eyes narrowed and sharp he looked a Mirin, prepared for whatever.
Suddenly, he sheathed his scythe and stood still his eyes looking into Jesus'. "Alright, I apologize, I now know better than to test you, please, let me gather my companions and we will leave at once." It was a plea, one entirely at Jesus' mercy, they had come here and instigated unwarranted violence, so Mirin expected nothing great. Contrary to his expectations he was welcomed with calmness.
"That is better, it is good you learn so quickly from mistakes, others take quite a while. So yes, you are forgiven, no one has been harmed and your friends have been punished enough, so begone."
With haste after Jesus' declaration he grabbed his companions by the collars hefting them on his shoulder he ran back to the inn trying to avoid the prying eyes of passersby hearing news of his commotion.
The entire run back his mind filled with doubts, Jesus was strong, even with their weapons and enhanced abilities they were defeated nearly instantly and Mirin was unsure if Hades would be disappointed in their performance. Unable to do anything about the confrontation with Jesus he resolved to make sure his task with the king would go better, no matter what. Hades, their lord God had bestowed upon them weapons, purpose and even titles, and Mirin speaking for himself, dare not tarnish his trust in them.
Reaching the Inn, getting odd looks and an especially unscrupulous one from the bartender he walks up the steps Xenia and Killian still on his shoulders. Entering their humble room he drops them on the bed, still unconscious he sat down on his own. He ran his fingers through his jet black hair and sighed with stress. 'This is annoying,' He thought.
...
The next day all of them awake and healed, ready to be done with Hades task and back on Greece soil they set out toward the palace, its grand design easy to find even in the sprawling city. Careful to avoid any trouble they stayed close together and marched, eyes scanning for any little thieves or devout avengers, however the walk to the gates went on unimpeded. A long staircase of thin steps led to the palace, its doors wide open with only two guards at attention. Walking up them all they're met with a smile and a welcome, told to wait in line for their matter to be discussed. It was the perfect time of day when the king of Jerusalem, King Solomon handled petty disputes, allowing them to get an audience with him without any violence.
Stepping through the large door they're greed by a large domed hall, an ornate painting covering the dome with multiple mosaics on either end letting in multicolored light to illuminate. Surprisingly only a short line awaited them and it moved quickly. Coming in behind two women, both of them snarling and getting as close to violence as they dared fought over a small child, both of them proclaiming that it was theirs.
Xenia could only smirk at that, even in Sparta, some women would do this when a lord sired a bastard. They would steal the babe from the true mother usually killing her to remove any other testimonies then plead to the lord for protection, status and wealth. Sadly, they usually got it too, since as much as she loved her queen Angela, making it law that any children bastard or not must be taken care of by mother and father both, definitely had some unforeseen consequences.
Any ways the line moves smoothly until it was the women's turn, they walked forward into the open throne room letting the three of them see what awaited them next.
On a slightly small yet still ornate throne sat a man of regular build, his hair black yet hints of greying at the root, his beard trimmed and short he was older, but not decrepit.
"He is my son and she is Lying my King, I swear!" One women screamed.
"I gave birth to him, stop this farce!" The other proclaimed.
They continued to argue in the kings presence, uncaring for what a scene they were making, they spewed venom and nearly broke into a catfight as it continued on.
Both of them launched allegations and insults at one another both of them claiming that the boy was theirs and not the others yet, there was no real way to prove it. The king knew this, looking at the women he couldn't tell who was lying and who wasn't so he decided to try something else.
"Ladies." They fell quite, looking up at him waiting for his verdict. The whole room wondering how he will decide.
"I have a way to solve this, a boy is born yet both claim to have done it so, in order to remain fair I say we cut him in half and each of you get one side of him." His voice and face said he was entirely serious, this was his solution, at least the first half of it.
Hearing his words one of the women blinks and her mouth quivers for a moment, eyes beginning to water. The other however, looks triumphant, happy that she will get what she wanted.
"I-I suppose she can have the boy, instead of that fate lord. I would rather he live with someone else than die with me." She said sadly; however in the next instant with a motion from Solomon, guards sprang forth, separating the other women from the babe, escorting her to a prison cell while handing him to his mother, situation resolved. The multitude of advisors in the room nodding in approval, pleased with their kings decision.
'That was pretty wise." Mirin bemusedly thought, looking at the absurd scene, though he has to admit, it was clever. The woman leaves with her child happy smile on her face as she cradles her babe. A few moments later and they were called forth into the large hall.
Standing in front of King Solomon, 'the wise' they look out of place, in a room filled with robe wearers and dark skinned nobles, their armored, definitively Greek garb and lighter complexion stood out, giving a few smarter people a some Ideas about them.
"What do you wish to discuss, Greeks?" He spoke his voice projected through the room, the word 'Greeks' spoke like a mere observation as he looked down from his throne.
Mirin took a step forward, his eyes sharp as he spoke.
"We come from Greece, after news of troubling reports of caravans and supply routes being attacked, would you perchance have any idea about this, perchance?" If, perchance Solomon knew about these attacks and even endorsed or authorized them, all three of them would launch with all their speed to decapitate him, but Mirin learns from his mistakes, so instead of going straight to violence he tried to gather more facts first.
The kings bushy eyebrow quirked up, a frown forming on his face. His eyes quickly scanned over the others present then back at the trio.
"Attacked you say? I have no recollection of sanctioning such a thing, after all trade between our nations can be nothing but good." He stood up from his seat, his eyes hard and tone serious. Compared to Greece, the middle east had few supernatural creatures, and their gods were not as, involved, as the Olympians were, a war breaking out would result in only one outcome.
"Trust me when I say I apologize, lives lost cannot be forgiven but I assure you I will get to the bottom of this." All three sets of eyes widened at his apology, a king apologizing was unheard of, yet he had done it so easily.
The King Continued to speak, " I am sure you are sent under the orders of your lord, to stop these attacks, and perhaps even kill me, given the... commotion by the market." The guards tense at the notion.
"But I don't think things need escalate further, if you would be so inclined, I would ask you to report back to your lord, tell him I meant no insult and did not order such things, and I would like to discuss the matter and subsequent solutions with him if he would be so inclined." He sat back down, his face returning to its calm expression, waiting for their response.
Mirin, paused for a moment, Hades had ordered them to kill the King, to stop the attacks from occurring, but the king in front of him did not seem like a warmonger. Killing Tyrants and warlords, leeches and rot he had no problem with, but a good king, such a rare thing, he was hesitant. However, Hades had explicitly ordered them killing the current king, and Angela was prime example of defying Hades direct orders, but then a nagging part in his brain spoke louder. 'Hades would prefer them aligned as allies than dead in the dirt.' It was a gamble on his part, to go off track but his gut told his it was the right decision.
"I think He would be pleased with this route, compared to the more, unpleasant options." He said slowly, his voice coming out a little harder than he anticipated, unknowing how his companions would feel about this decision.
Glancing behind him he saw only a slight shift in their expressions before returning to neutral, both of the resolute in following their de facto leader. 'Thats good at least.' When explaining to Hades, he could be assured they would be by his side.
"Then we are in agreement, I wish you well on your travels, and will look into this more in the meantime, I will be expectant for your lords' letter. Good day." And with that the three of them turn heel and walk out the room, the king still alive and well and all of them anxious on how Hades will respond to the news.