The Royal Council

[The Celtic Viking]

Sarpedon smiles and raise his hand in Panaitolos' direction.

"Thank you, Panaitolos, for your support."

Sarpedon turns around towards Arrhenides.

"What's this, old friend? We have known each other for a long time now. Do you remember when we were back home in Mikra Asia? When my father was still the Basileus, and I was a satrap? Do you remember how I promised that, after liberating the Galatians from their Pontic oppressors, they would get to rule themselves again? That they would appoint a leader for themselves? Did my actions then give you reason to fear corruption in my heart? Have my actions since been of any lesser quality in terms of honour? In terms of honesty? In terms of legality?"

Sarpedon sighs.

"You are forgetting your very own history, Arrhenides, and you're being very ungrateful. My father instituted this Council. He had every right not to, but he gave you the privilege of joining a council of this magnitude, where you can discuss and help steer what was his kingdom. I have legally inherited his kingship, and just like he held no obligation to create this council, I hold no obligation to uphold it. With a wave of my hand I could disband it and rule it just like that, and leave you no say at all - and there would be nothing wrong about that. It would not be illegal. You would hold no moral high ground. The gods would back me on it, for they know it is my right. Yet, I don't do that. I keep the council, and I still give you great influence over how it should be ruled.

It saddens my heart to hear you demand even more, and not just a little thing, but a veto no less! And what do you use for justification of this criminal injustice? That it's unfair that I get to choose one thing each session that will not get to happen in my kingdom?"

Sarpedon shakes his head.

"That's ridiculous as it is, especially seeing as I have never ever used it anyway, but corruption? That's not a charge to be thrown around lightly, and I would expect you to back up your claims with evidence. Right now, you sound no better than the rebels, who have no care for law or justice, who would even go so far as to take up arms against their fellow compatriots, crying loudly for my supposed 'tyrrany' and 'oppressive rule' and whatever other charge they could make up in their sinister minds.

That does not sound like the Keltoi general I once thought I knew."