651 Hunting In Thessaly

The chariot's gradual departure from the gates of Larissa painted a contrasting picture of defeat and deceptive victory. Elassona, standing at the city gates flanked by his courtiers, exuded an air of triumphant relief. With arms crossed and a disingenuous smile playing on his lips, he waved towards the retreating chariot. The entire month of mental gymnastics, the exhausting battle against the inspection team, had finally borne fruit. His corrupt dealings had been cleverly masked, leaving him unscathed. With the interruption in his trade with the republics now a thing of the past, Elassona could feel his heart, previously weighed down with anxiety, starting to beat with a renewed, albeit sinister force.