“A pleasure to meet you all.” Talpharos replied with a smile and a brief look at the two scantily dressed ladies before turning back to the man. “You seem to have me at a disadvantage, friend. You know me, but I can't recall ever meeting you. May I have your name? And the names of your lovely companions?” He asked, trying to be as polite as he could.
The men cheer, dropping their oars, as they move over to the bound Egyptian. "Seems like kind of a waste of a beauty to leave her in the sea, don't you think, my prince?" Oemachus asks, staying behind with Cleon, as the oarsmen undo their loincloths.
"I'm Paragus." The young man answers politely. "Son of Thestius. And these morsels are Abula and Abrextia, from the savage lands of Gaul." He smiles conciliatorily. "I understand you has an unpleasant encounter with my brothers earlier, when you were in the woods with Atalanta. They made several insults and threats to your person. I wanted to apologise."
The moment he found out who the man was Talpharos became a lot more suspicious of him, though he tried not to show it. “No need to apologize, Paragus, you are not responsible for your brothers' actions.” He replied with a smile, before looking around. “Where are they, anyway? Not causing more trouble, I hope?”
Bound and helpless, the Egyptian moans out, her body welcoming the men inside it. "Could we not be the gods' punishment? After all, would someone sworn to the Pharaoh even go to Tartarus, or would one of her own gods take her and bring her to their afterlife? Maybe we could get her to renounce her gods if we break her enough...
"I'm glad you see it that way." Paragus smiles. Talpharos sees more and more hunters entering the great hall, heading for the tables and grabbing drinks, but not the men who crossed him earlier. "I made sure they didn't attend this banquet - I didn't want them to say something stupid, which is a sadly common occurrence." The slaves giggle. "I'm sure you're wondering exactly why I'm approaching you like this, well-" Paragus is cut off as the hall quiets, the hunters standing, as two figures move from doors at the back, sitting at the high table. The king, a withered old man who was likely strong once, but now decrepit from age, welcomes the hunters and bids them to eat and drink their fill, to prepare themselves for the battles ahead. Beside him, the queen's eyes scan the room, before locking on Talpharos. The mature beauty smirks slightly.
"One more than the other." Paragus chuckles. "Well, it seems as though Atalanta has taken a liking to you. A rare thing for a man. And my brothers and I have taken a liking to Atalanta... Perhaps we can make common cause?"
"As you say, my prince." Oemachus looks disappointed, but doesn't complain, as he heads over to have his turn with the captive.
“I wouldn't say she has taken a liking to me just yet. More like she is tolerating me...” Talpharos noted. “Do you have anything in particular in mind?” He was in no hurry to accept anything from his new “friend”, but it would not hurt to hear what Paragus had to say – if only to know what to expect.
"My prince... The port of Piraeus is in sight." Oemachus shakes the young man's shoulder.
"Nonetheless, it's better than most men have accomplished." Paragus counters. "It seems like, if you wanted, you're in a far better position to try and get between Atalanta's legs than we are. Perhaps if you succeeded, you'd be willing to...share?"
Cleon knows Piraeus from a visit with his mother as a child. A massive port - probably the busiest in all Greece, connected to the great city of Athens via a long causeway, surrounded by walls to defend against Spartan attacks. Heading up above deck, he sees the ambassador lying nearly motionless. Several of the men look pretty drained, as well.
"My brothers and I are sons of a king. Grandsons of Ares himself, if you believe our father. Our friendship - which is what I offer in return, is a very valuable thing." Paragus smiles, as the two women move to sit beside Talpharos. "Indeed - think about it." He turns and leaves Talpharos with his servants.