Brasidas, flanked by his two most trusted Cataphracts, showed open disdain for the manner the envoy carried himself. Slavery was not unknown to the Empire, but it was more of what one might call indentured servitude, and it had been outlawed in most provinces for decades. No one, slave or citizen, would be subject to such abasement as what they saw there. However, the news itself was what shocked Brasidas more. He barked a harsh laugh. 

"If you want to negotiate, take my advice and keep with reality, Atvari." He scoffed, smirking. "Alpharius does not sit on any throne, much less the throne in Sidris. We serve his Imperial Majesty Andronikas, sixth of his name."

The envoy did not seem perturbed at Brasidas's words. In fact he looked a bit smug, though it was hard to tell behind his beard and regalia. All the Imperials gave looks to one another as he next spoke. "You and your men have been away from the capital for many months, Imperial. Much has changed you will find, had you ever returned. Unfortunately, that will not happen for you or your [i]women soldiers[/i]." He pulled the reins of his mount as the horse whinnied and stomped forward, as if it had the arrogance of its master. "Now, I say again. You and your armies can find salvation in servitude for our Great King, or you can find your doom amongst the desert sands. It would be a shame to waste so many fighting men, and your women will serve us well in other ways don't doubt. Now, will you make the wise decision? You Imperials pride yourself on your logic, I suggest you employ it while you still breathe."

Brasidas's visage did not seem to change, but somehow it grew into a black look. His men beside him grew restless, and Brasidas could see Phaedra was about as pleased as he was with these claims. 

"Well, you give us much to think on." Brasidas remarked dryly, and had the envoy had any sense, he would have ridden away right then and yelled apologies the entire ride back. But it seems he was not used to either Brasidas or Phaedra.