Over the day Ares mostly looked around to see if everything was fine. He had just finished being sick, so he took the opportunity to walk around the place and inspect it, rather than flying around and checking everything as he usually did.

Eventually he returned to the main section of the city, greeting all the various peoples going about their ways. He went passed by where his and Rori’s usual resting area was and then circled around the large rock that jutted out to then enter the human area of Rivea.

He could see the hundreds of humans, most quite young, and the few guards that were posted up. The Roaring Tridents were about to, and a Team of them appeared in front of him.

“How may we help you, Ares-kin?” Asked a Leitenant.

“I’m just looking for Abdan, is he about?”

One of the human soldiers had drawn a little closer. “He is currently bathing.”

“Oh, thank you.” Ares nodded and then looked between the guards. “Is everything well? Anything you’d like to tell me whilst I’m here?” He raised a brow.

The Roaring Tridents exchanged a look, but the human soldier spoke. “There is nothing that we require of you, King.” He bowed his head slightly and Ares nodded before leaving.

Ares found Abdan changing into a new set of clothing, apparently provided to him by Ares’ people since it held a similar style. Abdan turned to see Ares and they nodded towards one another.

“It is good to see you, Ahreez. These clothes are a great gift.”

“Well I’m glad someone gifted them to you, they suit you.” Ares said, spying that Abdan was absolutely ripped. He was a man of little fat, and though his muscles weren’t huge, they were quite well defined. He stopped himself admiring another bro and then looked up to Abdan. “Sorry, I had something I wanted to talk to you about. Would you care for a walk?”

The human guards remained near Abdan, and the Roaring Trident team stood a little ways away from them.

Abdan bowed his head. “Let us speak and walk then.” He said as a human guard bundled up his other clothes. Abdan carried with him his blade, but nothing else as Ares and he walked. He had dismissed a guard that had tried to help him put his armour on, and Ares couldn’t help but feel the dark-skinned King was trying to say he trusted Ares with such a gesture.

“What is it that you wished to speak about?” Abdan said.

“I was hoping that we could integrate your people a little with mine. I don’t want there to be a resentment between them. We are strange and foreign to you it seems, and well… our people have had some issues with the… how did you call them, the Milkar?”

“The Mikar.” Abdan nodded.

“Mikar, yes, that’s right. The Mikar and us have only just recently met in battle so there is some resentment from my people to the humans.”

“I understand.” Abdan nodded. “What is it that you wish of us?”

“Just to come and eat with my people. Perhaps if a few of your people have some skills they can help around, it would do quite well since you will learn quite a few of our secrets.” Ares smiled.

“You are willing for such a thing?”

“Call it a deposit. I am willing to give you much now, for the sake a better future.”

Abdan nodded his head, a little surprised no doubt. “I understand. I shall speak with my people of such a matter.”

“Thank you.”

“I must thank you again, Ahreez. Without your aid, my people would have been lost.”

“I think you are undervaluing yourself, Abdan. You’re smart enough to deal with whatever might come at you, no doubt.”

Abdan nodded. “And you are most good in heart to allow such a thing.” He remained there for a moment. “Ahreez. I would like to ask of you a question that may be forward…”

Ares waited, nodding his head as he did.

“You are not human?”

“I’m not.”

“I see. You look human.”

“Looks can be deceiving.” Ares chuckled. “I’m not human, or rather, not wholly. I’m part Phoenix.” Ares said as he then raised a hand and shifted it into flames.

Abdan’s face shifted into surprise as he stared at the flames before Ares shifted them away, chuckling at the response. “Well... impressed?”

The human guards around them had tensed, but had not moved forward to do anything.

“You are more than I expected. I am most grateful I was able to see you, Thank Azni.”

Ares chuckled and was about to denigrate himself before realising that he was currently a King, so perhaps it wouldn’t be so great to do that.

“I am grateful as well, Abdan, you are a good man.”

Abdan bowed his head, something on his lips, but it was left unsaid.

Ares then returned with Abdan and the guards, human and beastfolk. He left them be and then made his way back.

Evening soon encompassed Rivea. Abdan had brought a little over a hundred people, some of them guards, but most were the other nobles. Ares had made sure to make enough space for them, inviting them to mingle with his own people.

Ares sat with Abdan, and of course with Rori and Lana, but also brought along his three children. Ares fawned over his children to Abdan, keeping them nearby as he ate. He would then return them to the milk mothers who fed the children, before they became restful and were taken away to sleep.

“I had not expected you to have children.” Abdan said, glancing between Ares and Lana, then to Rori.

“Well a King should probably have children so the succession is easier.” Ares decided against telling Abdan that they were about to die and so he decided to adopt them. Ares had noted there were no children, at least, none that were below the age of ten with Abdan. He wondered if they had to be left behind…

“Do you have someone you are interested in?” Ares finally asked.

“I had a fiance, but the contract was broken when the Mikar attacked.”

“Oh? What happened?”

“Her Kingdom believed that we had aggravated the Mikar on purpose to bring them into a war.” Abdan said, his eyes falling to the flames.

“Well…” Ares remained silent for a moment longer. “Let me know if any of the beastfolk take your fancy, I’ll see what I can do.” Ares said before laughing.

Abdan looked up at Ares, before laughing himself. His laugh was low and sounded very much as though each syllable was stressed. He sounded as though he was a villain, though perhaps Abdan was. Ares wasn’t entirely sure.