Ava stood in the kitchen, helping Darys the cook prepare the morning meal.

“Out late, were you?” Darys commented, his eyes on his work.

“Oh, uh... yeah. Sorry about that,” Ava replied sheepishly. “I kind of lost track of time.”

Darys smiled. “Don't worry, I won't ask what you were up to.”

She blushed and elbowed him in the ribs. “It wasn't anything like that!”

“Good morning, Ava!”

She turned to see her master, Delynqis, walk into the kitchen with a proud smile on his face.

“Yesterday, a serving woman. Today, a hero. Tomorrow, consul!” He made no effort to hide his enthusiasm. “You're now in the running! You wouldn't believe the crowd's excitement when I announced you were a contender.”

Seeing Ava's blank stare, he added, “I know you have a busy schedule, what with being in the Guard and all, so I hope you don't mind me taking the liberty of doing it for you.”

“No, no,” Ava stammered, “I... I'm honored.”

“The honor is mine,” Delynqis replied, smiling broadly. “I have high hopes for you, Ava, and I'll do my best to support you.”

As Delynqis turned and left the room, Darys looked up at Ava with a smile.

“You have my vote.”

“When did I ask for this?” she demanded angrily.

“Maybe you didn't,” Darys chuckled, “but half of Athens did.”

She sighed and muttered, “it's not as if I have a chance.”

“Guess we'll have to wait and see about that.”

“What if I win? So maybe I can throw a magic flaming spear, I don't know the first thing about leading a city. It would be a disaster!”

Darys shrugged. “You didn't know a thing about slaying monsters, but you did that pretty well.”

“What am I supposed to do now, if I do get elected? Just tell everyone, 'truth is, I never wanted this job, sorry!'” She sighed and shook her head. “All I ever wanted was to mind my own business...”

“In the end, it is not us, but the Gods, who determine our fate,” Darys said thoughtfully.

“If it really is Athena's will that I become consul... I suppose there's nothing I can do about it.”

* * *

Perephon arrived at the Agora to see Aelyros standing atop a podium, his arms raised as his voice echoed across the assembled crowd.

“How many of you lost sons and daughters, brothers and sisters in that terrible battle? They all did their part, they all made the ultimate sacrifice to save our city. It was our city's hour but also our most glorious; the Gods themselves saw our warriors prove their true worth. I ask you, were they not all heroes?”

The crowd murmured in agreement.

“Then why, I ask you,” Aelyros continued passionately, “is the only hero we remember the hero who lived? Ava, the so-called 'savior of Athens'; she alone is lavished with praise, cheered by the masses. Is this how we honor the fallen? Have we forgotten those who gave their lives for our city?”

The crowd was silent; they glanced at one another, hesitant to speak.

“This is the girl you would see made consul?” Aelyros went on. “Hero or not, what fitness does she have to lead our city?”

“She has divine heritage!” a woman cried. “She lifted the spear of Athena! Is that not proof enough of her worth?”

“I do not doubt her strength and courage,” replied Aelyros, “but wisdom is quite another thing. And it is wisdom, not strength, that makes one fit to lead our city.”

“Then give her a chance to prove herself!” a man shouted.

“And give every fool in the city a turn at being consul?” Aelyros shot back. “Have any of you even heard her speak on matters of state? She knows nothing of it!”

He received numerous nods and shouts of approval.

“But this girl is no common fool,” Aelyros said, his tone darkening. “Rather, I believe she is far more dangerous. This 'hero' that you all love is cunning and power-hungry; she has no sense of duty to her city or her people, she only saved us from those monsters because she knew it would get her the popularity she needs.”

Perephon was bewildered at Aelyros' sudden change of tack, as were the rest of the crowd who fell into a confused silence.

“She is now within reach of the power she craves. But she does not seek to merely become consul, she desires total power, to become a tyrant and rule our city with an iron fist. Citizens of Athens, I ask but one thing of you: stop this 'hero' from attaining consulship. The fate of Athens depends on it!”

Perephon stared at Aelyros in disbelief. In all the years he had known him, he had never heard his friend make such baseless accusations against one of his opponents. This was not the man he knew and trusted.

“What proof do you have?!” Perephon shouted furiously.

“You want proof?” asked Aelyros, as confident as ever.

He turned and motioned to a pair of men, who stepped up to stand beside him on the podium. Perephon noted that one was tall and slender with noble features, while the other was stout, rough, and scarred.

“Last night, these two honest men of Athens were attacked and robbed.” Aelyros turned to the two men. “Who was it who attacked you?”

The taller man answered, speaking eloquently. “We were walking home, my friend carrying a torch, when all of a sudden we were assailed by a lone woman. She wore the dress of a servant but had the build of a soldier. In the torchlight, I saw her face and recognized her as the hero, Ava.” He paused and his voice dropped. “I'd heard stories of her strength but to witness it firsthand was... terrifying. She carried nothing but a wooden club; as we drew our daggers in defense, she knocked them from our grasp. The torch fell to the ground and went out. She seized me and snatched my purse; I struggled but in vain. I heard her whisper a threat; that if I told anyone about this, she would kill me. With a laugh, which I swear was that of a monster, she fled into the night.”

Aelyros turned back to the crowd, his face grim.

“This is the woman you would make consul? I beg you, brothers and sisters, to think twice.”

The crowd was silent as Aelyros stepped down from the podium and took his leave without another word. Perephon followed him through the throng to a secluded spot in the shadow of a building.

“Aelyros,” Perephon asked flatly, “is it true, what that man said?”

Aelyros turned around and replied calmly, “would you have me lie to you, Perephon?”

“Like you lied to them?” Perephon snapped. “Out with it, who is that man and is his story true?”

“He did encounter Ava last night and there was a fight in which she emerged victorious. That much, I swear, is true.”

“You did attempt to murder her! Those were the assassins!”

“Not so loud, my friend,” insisted Aelyros.

“No!” Perephon retorted furiously, “not friend, not anymore, not ever again.”

He turned and strode off, not once looking back.