Basileus Philadelphos Ptolemaios:

"I have raised men in those cities as well as Palmyra itself to see to it so you can go and deal with this Sarpedon Syriakos. Should you feel the need for it, I will authorize the hiring of one band of mercenaries to accomplish this task on the Kingdom's payroll. In fact, I authorize you to leave Palmyra to its fate and take the garrison soldiers with you if you need it; Antiocheia is by far more important than a small, desert town."

Philadelphos' face now turns grave and his voice turns low, filled with sadness and disappointment.

"There is another problem that we're facing, and sadly that problem has a name. Lysimachos Ptolemaios. My son. I sent him a warning as soon as he broke the holy law of our kingdom, stepped onto foreign land without my permission, and attacked a neutral faction, the Kretans, without ever even seeking permission to do so from either me or this Council. I told him to immediately break off the siege and to leave the island, or he would have to be punished. He summarily ignored this warning, and instead assaulted and occupied Kydonia.

As he is my son, some may fear partiality from me if I made the sentence myself, and so I invite you, members of the Council, to voice your opinion. How shall we deal with my son's crimes? I shall of course send for him to explain himself, as you may want to hear him out before you judge him."