"Oracle! We will speak, now!"
General Diokles of Athens was always eager to make his presence known when he entered the Temple of the Oracle, but appeared to be in less than ideal spirits on this day, entering the temple in full battle dress with six warriors behind him, leaving muddy foot prints across the floor much to the handmaidens dismay. The General was a bear of a man, built like the soldier that he was with broad shoulders and scars that covered his body, marking many victories over his enemies. Normally wavy dark brown hair and sharp handsome features would draw women to him, but his face was contorted in rage this day, prepared for a fight.
"What can I do for you today General? You know that I cannot and will not aid you in your war efforts against Sparta." The Oracle was sitting on a simple bench deep in discussion with her most trusted handmaiden and closest friend Althaia when they heard the Generals arrival, and she swept into the hall to defuse the situation, her jet black hair flowing behind her almost dragging the ground.
"Don't feed me your lies Oracle, Athens needs you. The armies of Sparta are even now closing on our city, and nothing I seem to do will stop them! You will help me, or I will be forced to resort to drastic measures."
"Your threats are idle General. You wouldn't dare hurt the Oracle or my temple; your own laws forbid it. And I cannot help you; Sparta will destroy your armies, and Athens will fall. I have foreseen it. I am sorry."
"And you would do nothing to protect the city? To defend the citizenry of our nation? They will perish at Spartan hands if I cannot stop them!" The General's anger was plain on his face, but he almost seemed to plead with the Oracle. "I must stop them, and I will do anything to do so. What is it that you require Oracle? Gold? Power? Name your price and I will pay it, for the good of Athens."
"I am sorry General, the Gods will not allow me to help. No amount of gold or power will change that. Take comfort in the fact that the people of Athens will be treated fairly. Sparta is a nation with honor, they will demand taxes and seek the power that you promise me, but they will not hurt those who are not involved in battle. The only thing that we will lose is the name Athens. I have foreseen what will come, and you have two paths. Lay down your arms General, surrender to Sparta and you and your men will be granted mercy. Or you can fight, and you will lose everything. Your home, your life, and most importantly, your pride, all will be stripped from you until you are laid bare for all to see."
Diokles was without words. He could not fathom a world where Athens would fall, a world where he would lose. The Oracle had broken him, and she could see that. It was not her intention, and she moved to fix the situation.
"You still have your choice General. If you surrender then you will be able to appeal to Sparta. Compromise is not a sign of weakness, and there are better ways to fight than with sword and shield. You must find a way to overcome this problem. The way to victory cannot be seen by you, but I can show you that path." Her words fell on deaf ears. While the Oracle tried to convince General Diokles, his thoughts had turned dark. The Oracle would help him, or she would pay a most horrific price.
Althaia, the Oracles handmaiden, had moved to stand close by, a foolish attempt to try and protect the Oracle from the vicious soldier who had desecrated their temple. She was a young woman, barely considered an adult by Athens standards, and yet her beauty was striking. Blonde hair in contrast to the Oracle's black, eyes as green as emeralds, and a smattering of freckles across her nose. Her presence gave the General the leverage his mind sought out.