Agathangelos stands.

"I have now had word from lord Sarpedon, and it is as I feared." He turns towards the messenger. "Let Panaitolos know that his majesty regretfully feels he must decline your request. Let him also know that he wish Panaitolos good luck, and in case he dies in his defence, lord Sarpedon thanks him for his faithful service."

Archangelos turns to Hiatus.

"It is of course not in Sarpedon's interest that the 1st Lydian falls either, you must understand that, especially as those soldiers mainly come from Sarpedon's old satrapy. He's not so cold-hearted either as to not mourn if Panaitolos falls. However, Panaitolos knew the risks, and he still proposed the attack himself, so it's not fair to say we sent him away, for we only let go of the leashes he was already stretching out with his whole force.

Lord Sarpedon's rejection rests upon the fact that a mercenary force would be expensive, and for that money a new force could be summoned to meet this new threat should it try to push into our territory. This force would stand a better chance at a lower cost, and in the end, that would serve the kingdom better. You can accept reality for what it is and then work with what you've got, or you can enter fantasyland and pretend it is not so. When you are in such a position that you have to rule a great kingdom, and have to consider more lives than just one man's, it would be inexcusably irresponsible to go for anything except the former."