Brasidas shared a look with Phaedra questioningly, and then he pushed off the stool and drained the last bit of wine before placing the cup down. Brasidas called for Eudoxia to return, as well as all of the families who had currently had their homes dismantled, summoning them to the center of town. 

Less than an hour later, he and Phaedra stood beside a great bonfire, surrounded by Cataphracts with closed faced helms and sheathed weapons, watching silently as Eudoxia approached. Brasidas saw nearly thirty men, women, and children collected together and filled with fear and outrage, or just faces of distraught at losing their homes. Brasidas asked for leave with dealing with this, and at Phaedra's nod he stepped forward. 

"What is it?" Eudoxia asked, and Brasidas gave her a blank look. She looked past him at Phaedra, and at her nod she continued with "...Archontas." 

"You just started to tear homes down, without the aegis of me or your commander?" He asked her evenly. 

"We have a duty to our dea-" 

"These people are under my protection!" He growled. "They are now citizens of the Empire. I have a duty to my dead as well, but not at the expense of the living, or are we the barbarians they call us?" The Protos Kapetanos let the words hang for a moment, and then visibly calmed. She seemed to take it well, her face a stone mask. "How many homes do you need to dismantle in order to burn your pyres?" 

"Ten, Archontas...no, twelve. We've dismantled seven." She replied without emotion, glancing at Phaedra every few moments. Brasidas nodded, crossing his arms. 

"Very well, twelve homes. The homes closest to the torn down walls." He said, much to the dismay of the townsfolk in the circle, and all that listened outside of the Cataphract circle. Brasidas motioned for silence, and when it was granted he said. "I am not finished! Tonight, those of the twelve with homes will have the time to gather their things." 

"All night!? In the morning the bodies will-" 

"Still be there," Brasidas finished for her, turning back to the crowd. "All men and women who lose their homes over these tearings will have a roof over their heads and food in their bellies. You have my word." 

"Where, Archontas?" one man cried, and the Protos Kapetanos pointed behind him, past the fire toward the twenty foot walls that loomed over the township. Right at the citadel of Arbela.

"In there. You who give your homes for us, will be inducted into the new town council, and your quarters will move from your hovels to the citadel, where you will command the town due to your loyal service. You will conduct Arbela's affairs, control the river, and be forever loyal to the Empire, is that understood!?" 

There were whispers, but a general cry of acceptance rose over the few smaller yells of denial. Brasidas stepped away from the villagers and Eudoxia, before turning to Phaedra, asked her before all of the town. "Is that acceptable, Protos Kapetanos?"