The Misthios and the Archon.
This story will have a lot to do with Canon, in parts, and nothing in others. Not so much any of the DLC. I don't know how long I will make this, but this assumes the "Truth" option following their quest line in the game. The main quest line would be completed, information beyond that, the story will have to tell.
Prologue:
A brief knock echoed through the room followed by a discreet: "You are sure I cannot change your mind?"
Kyra looked behind her to spot Aspasia, current leader of the Athenian government at her door. Dressed in a lavish blue dress and white shawl, Aspasia could easily swap between private gathering and upper class party without so much as changing her sandals.
"Sadly no, you cannot. It is obvious the peace talks are all but over at this point. I can do more good back on Mykonos." Kyra commented indicating her living room to sit for comfort.
Aspasia seemed to accept the offer, but gripped the others hand and pulled her further into the privacy of the guest apartments. Kyra, recognizing the ploy did not utter the objections that most would have and just followed along.
Aspasia led them until they were on the roof before she finally stopped and stepped even closer.
"I tell you, it is not safe for you to leave."
Kyra gave a slight smile "It might also be said it is not safe for me to stay in Athens, if your generals are to be believed."
Aspasia put forth a pained face, but tried to portray something without having to say it. "There are forces at work in this world Kyra. Forces that have been pushing both sides towards war. This is very irregular. Normally when I want something, I can get it. In this case it doesn't matter how hard I push or how much power I throw around. The military is acting on its own accord. Kleon did much damage in his short stint as Leader and his influence remains. If you leave Athens I cannot guarantee your safety anymore. Do you understand?"
The Cult of Kosmos…
"I am in Athens, if I stay I am in danger if I leave I am in danger-"
"Yes but at least in Athens I can place you where nobody would dare touch you. Under loyal forces that can protect you if need be. If you leave you risk destabilizing the entire region. If Mykonos were to lose another leader so quickly it would not be able to put up a fight if attacked. I tell you it is happening soon, I cannot stop it."
Kyra sighed. With Sparta weakened as it was, and Athens pushing to avenge past defeats, more violence seemed inevitable. Of course the Spartan's would never back down from a fight, even if they aren't truly prepared to fight it. Possibly especially because they were unprepared.
Aspasia nodded "You do understand. Something is manipulating both nations behind the scenes, if you die, Mykonos would surely fall. From there all of the islands are vulnerable."
"We have an alliance with Sparta. They keep a troop armed and battle ready at all times. Mykonos won't fall so easily."
Aspasia moved closer "Surely you don't believe that alliance is truly solid? Not with what happened in your rebellion."
Kyra dropped her gaze… Theletas, Kassandra… A Spartan Polemarch killed on her own island following their victory.
Not a day goes by where she doesn't regret her actions on that fateful night. She didn't believe blame to belong solely to herself of course, but in the months following that she had to admit… She was wrong to do what she did. If given the opportunity to fix it, she would relish the chance to repair that relationship.
She still loved her. When all was said and done, after everything that happened, love still remained.
"I don't know how you know that, but if you do you have to realize it's complicated."
Aspasia smiled "I know because it is my business to know. If that alliance is threatened…"
Then Mykonos would stand no chance on its own…
"I appreciate your warning Aspasia truly. Athens is lucky to have you. But I will not watch my home fall from a distance. If it is to be attacked, it will find me upon its shores."
Aspasia was silent for several seconds, Kyra could practically feel her mind processing information from here.
"I will arrange an escort and do what I can to help beyond that. I must leave you now, I have much to do before morning."
Kyra stood gracefully and shared a hug with her fellow provincial leader. Aspasia had one more kernel of wisdom to pass on though through a whisper "Mykonos must not fall Kyra. If we can halt this aggression we have a chance to fight back against it. If we fail it might consume all of Greece before we can stop it."
Chapter 1:
It was a typical day in Greater Athens. Zeus had blessed them with some slight clouds and a gentle breeze. Surely, at least for the great eagle in the sky, these were ideal flying conditions. Ikaros issued what could be either a happy or terrifying screech, depending on what end of the talon you were on. Unable to help himself he tucked his wings tight and joyfully accelerated downwards over a rocky outcropping towards his destination further along the way.
Over a vast forest of greens he flew keeping his gaze to anything of note on the ground below. Athenian children played in the sun, some teenagers were either training for the next Olympics to roll around and of course, the endless soldiers in various camps around the countryside were packed with a vague unease. Somewhere amongst them Sokrates no doubt was prattling on with whomever was willing to listen. He might even find somebody willing to debate with if he tried hard enough.
None of this however, was the eagles objective. Nothing had proven capable of preventing the intelligent bird - some say gifted by Zeus himself - from achieving its goal. With a couple more flaps of his wings there in an opening between the trees was his target. A rider on a horse galloping at a fast, but maintainable speed. The rider wore a white cloak with a raised hood covering its face and protecting it from the sun. Below that was looked like a blue robe seemed to be found. Surrounding the rider were four guards, one to each side in front, and matched behind. They rode in a protective formation staying alert to their surroundings. However unaware they were of various people waiting for them along the way.
The rider issued a frustrated groan, something of a rarity with the Archon of Mykonos. It all turned out to be a waste of time. Several months had passed since she found herself elevated from Rebel Leader to the Archon of her home island of Mykonos, and it seemed the Athenians were keen to remind her that they were not pleased with the outcome of that conflict at every opportunity they could.
She had come to Athens for the peace talks in good faith, and had done everything she could to push them forward. Too many good men and women had been lost in this war already, and it seemed initially that a way to mutual agreement was possible. But she was fooling herself. It was inevitable really.
The loss of one of Sparta's Kings to the Cult of Kosmos severely weakened the nation. One might think the opposite is true, that the remaining King would have grown more powerful with the absence of his rival. However that just was not the case. A vicious debate was ravaging Sparta's unity now as they searched for a replacement, which in the Spartan way often led to more bloodshed. Bloodshed the smaller Spartan population could not afford. Thus while the remaining King and even the current leader of Athens, Aspasia, were proponents of peace too many forces were working against them to achieve it.
What began as a gathering of hope, had turned into a near promise of bloodshed. Neither Sparta or Athens were completely controlled by their respective rulers given the recent loss of life, it meant other powers and players could emerge. One such player was she herself. A respected ruler who was known to fight on the battlefield, yet was also renown for her first desire to seek a compromise. She had hoped her influence would help.
In the end it was not to be. Nearly a month of negotiations later, and she was on the road to the coast north of Athens. From the coast to her ship at a nearby port, and from her ship back to Mykonos. She hoped it wouldn't come to it, but it seemed the armies of both nations were on the move, and the powers that be in Athens seemed to determine the first action to take would be the fall of Mykonos itself. First as revenge against its loss in the first place, secondly to use it as a launching point against the other islands which mostly favored Spartan leadership.
Naturally Sparta would be forced to respond somehow, a small force of Spartan's remained on the island. But certainly not enough to stand against the full might of Athens armies, and they didn't possess near enough ships to contend with the true might of Athens, its navy.
The long journey on the road left much time for the mind to wander, and she couldn't help but consider just what it would take to unify the forces of Greece behind a banner of peace. The last true leader they possessed which realistically had the strength of will and the power to do it, was recently slain. Namely Perikles, former leader of Athens. Sent to the Ferryman by the very cults now surely pushing both sides to continued war.
Before him the Spartan King Leonidas could potentially have done it. He had the martial might, the strength of arms and the willpower to do it surely. His temperament might have been a problem for some. But he also was lost to the world well before his time. If the rumors surrounding that are to be believed, that also was due to the cults influence.
Thinking of Leonidas brought form a very unexpected thought, namely that of his grandchildren. His daughter recently returned to Sparta, being a former national leader herself Myrrine had many qualifications. She was Spartan trained and educated. A proven potent organizer and stateswoman. She also had many connections across the world, being known to almost all remaining provincial leaders. Also as Leonidas's lone living child her word carried a great deal of weight in Sparta. The weakness to her bid to power would be that it did not have the reputation of a warrior Spartans would require of their king, or Queen as it were. Thus her thoughts passed to Kassandra…
With a shake of her head she refused to go down that path anymore. She had encountered the legendary Eagle-Bearer previously… more than encountered her. The warrior had answered her calls for help and fought in her rebellion. It was her assistance which ultimately allowed her rebellion to drive Athens out of Mykonos. They were siblings of the battlefield and shared much in common. They had even shared a bed, but… mistakes were made on both sides. And that relationship was no longer tenable.
"How much longer?" She asked her guards trying to break herself out of her mood.
"We hope to reach the tower by nightfall Archon. Weather permitting by the week's end we will arrive at the port."
With another happy screech Ikaros flew over the head of his partner down below. He did another circular sweep of the area for anything out of place. Then spotting a delicious looking field mouse decided it was time for a snack.
Ikaros , you are having far too much fun. We are on the job now you know!
The Eagle-Bearer chuckled at her partners indignant squawk then left him alone to his merriment. To this day she could not explain the nature of her connection with the Eagle that was her namesake. But it was something she never ceased to rely on. Thus she waited in a thicket crouched down hidden from sight while Ikaros kept watch… at least when he wasn't snacking on field mice.
She had come to enjoy the perks of her reputation, she could now shop around for the best jobs and could also demand a premium for her services. Many of the most lucrative potential employers sought her out with tasks which required the most skilled and powerful mercenaries in the world. Such as her current circumstances. Being friends with the employer certainly didn't hurt either.
Aspasia, current leader of Athens had yet fully to consolidate power around her, she had very little control over the military. This much she knew. What she did not know is why she was willing to pay a fortune for her, a single mercenary with a penchant for working alone with such a task.
'You must wait at the spot on the map. A traveling dignitary from the peace talks will be journeying home guarded by 4 men. I have it on good terms that something is likely to happen, what exactly that something is, I do not know. You must keep this person safe from harm and take them to their destination. Keep the men alive if you can, but the diplomat is your top priority. Keep them safe Kassandra. Much rides on their survival.'
Aspasia rarely made such heartfelt pleas for help, and as such the Spartan accepted the hefty purse of drachmae then went about her way. A shocking amount of coin for how simple the job sounded at the time. In hindsight more questions could have, maybe even should have been asked. Ultimately though, she trusted Aspasia, that's simply what it came down to. Through her, Kassandra found her mater, something she would be eternally grateful for. Not that anybody was keeping score, but if Aspasia needed her to do this as a favor? That was all that needed to be said.
Thus she waited here, at this fork in the road. It was a good place for an ambush if an ambush were yet written in the fates. Kassandra secluded herself in the only cover she could find, but arguments could be made that the high ground would have been a superior location. Both points had merits. The road would fork around in an S pattern as it climbs a hill, leaving high ground on two sides which would aid in a potential ambush. Yet if she herself waited there her position would be given away and any advantage of surprise she had would be lost. Hence she waited hunkered down in the shade. Her sword at her side, spear and bow on her back wearing the finest armor she possessed in her arsenal.
Still… she couldn't help but think back. Why didn't she press Aspasia for the name of this dignitary more? She did ask the question. Only to be told… it didn't matter. The job was keep them alive and safe from harm. Oh well, you live you learn.
By now Ikaros had finished his midday snack and was being rather smug about it. What with snacking while Kassandra was most distinctly snack-less on the ground below. But he was happily back in the air, and none too pleased with what he was seeing.
Looking through his eyes she spotted company, and not the pleasant kind. First identifying a group of 3 with a Captain leading them judging by his heraldry. Swiftly 6 more were spotted, then more still until they were numbering well over a dozen in total approaching the fork in the road from multiple angles.
"Malaka!" She cursed.
The shocking thing was their colors. These men wore both the Crimson of Sparta, and the Azure of Athens.
This was definitely going to complicate things. She had no time to amend her plan though as down the road the hooves of the approaching horses barreled down the road. It was difficult to be sure, but… something about the rider in white seemed somehow familiar…
This was going to be a long day… but at least the Archon could see their stopping point in the distance. Following the road along its curve up a hill her horse suddenly began to get restless.
"Woah girl! Easy now what's the matter?" She asks patting it on the neck.
Suddenly she was crashing down landing rather clumsily in the dirt. Looking back at her horse several arrows crashed into it. Such a noble animal, it didn't deserve this fate.
"AMBUSH!" Some of her guards cry out leaping off their horses to form a shield wall in front of her.
Then arrows from above were everywhere. Clearly on orders to kill their best means of escape first arrows were directed at the horses from the onset, obviously starting with her own. One of her guardians goes down with a cry before he was able to get his shield raised. Two more fall when they were overcome by ambushers approaching from the side caught in a deadly crossfire from two angles. Looking around her she spotted armed men on foot behind them, others still to the front. Quite literally, she was surrounded. Her lone remaining guard held his shield up pinning her against a tree spear raised.
"Give us the woman, and your life will be spared… I can't say for how long but at least you would have time to prepare yourself for the Ferryman." One of them calls out. A mountain of a man with an enormous poleax as a weapon cradling on his shoulders. At his command much of the arrow fire ceased leaving only one marksman on the high ground. The rest assembled around him leaving her nowhere to run.
"I will charge and get their attention, you must run into the trees. If you can get to the coast you may yet escape." Her remaining guard ordered under his breath.
"I will do no such thing! I will not abandon you!" She sputters out.
Before it could be debated further a shadow fell across her briefly. A threatening shrill filled the air as a mighty eagle descended from the heavens and collided with the one remaining archer on the ridge talon first raking his face. A rather… familiar Eagle.
She gasped.
It can't be! Is that… Ikaros?! That must mean… but that's impossible!
"Hey! You!" One of her assailants cries out pointing across her to the forest edge.
A furious roar filled the air as off to her side a stranger charges and throws a short spear at the man leading the crowd. The weapons blade seemed to glow a golden hue mid air as it pierced his neck nearly beheading the bear of a man leading the ambush. Or at least the only one to speak thus far.
The stranger wasted no time in throwing themselves into her assailants cutting them with each stroke of their weapon as if they were possessed of Ares themselves making their way to the body of the leader twitching on the ground.
Her breath hitched in her chest as any doubts of this person's identity were put to rest as she, yes SHE, pulled her spear out of the leaders body and issued a cocky "Well boys, what are you waiting for?" Right before she took a quick step into a roll and came out of it with stab sending another foe to the underworld.
Kassandra! Where did she come from?! How under Helios is she even here?!
She could not pull her eyes away from the Mighty Eagle-Bearer even if she wanted too. Kassandra was a sight to behold. Many claim her to be a demigod, touched by Zeus himself, and blessed by Artemis. It might even be true. With her signature half spear -The broken Spear of Leonidas- in her left hand, and sword in her right. She went to glorious work against these unknown assailants.
Her attacks came quickly and with a shocking amount of power behind them. Shields were knocked aside by her powerful sword arm to be followed by a quick stab of her spear. She spun around then and with another quick step forward closed the distance to another. Her attackers pressed around her then, Kyra thought to cry out:
'Watch out!'
As one approached from behind and jabbed his spear forward, but she needn't worry as with casual ease Kassandra simply stepped to the side at the last moment and beheaded the man on her return stroke. Her sword gleaming in the sunlight as it parted flesh. Before his body even hit the ground she laid two more men low. Parrying one strike with her spear jabbing behind her body with her sword then spinning away slashing her spear with a lightning quick thrust between another's guard.
Another approached with his shield raised preparing to strike. Once again the Eagle-Bearer simply had the man outclassed, she took a quick step to the side and drove her spear through the shield. Then with an awe inspiring display of power yanked the shield out of the hands of its owner, and with a primal roar she crashed it back into his jaw sending him flying back along the ground.
The assailant nearest her clearly thought better about challenging the Spartan off to his side and instead decided to try his luck against Kyra herself. He rushed forward sword raised with a cry on his lips.
"Yeeaaah!"
His sword was stopped with a clank as her lone guardsman intercepted it with his shield.
"GO!" He commanded.
"I most certainly will not!" The Archon was not as at home on the battlefield as the Amazonian warrior who came to her aid, but she had seen her share of conflict. She would be damned to Hades's torments before she fled as another died in her place. She made 2 quick steps and liberated a sword from a fallen guardsman.
She turned back towards the nearby conflict between her guardsman and the red clad ambusher. They had exchanged blows with practiced ease, but unfortunately a second rushed him from the side and jabbed a spear through his chest. Seemingly with the last of his willpower he repaid the deed in kind before falling to the earth.
"To bad we need to eliminate such a pretty lady. You would be worth a fortune under normal circumstances." The nearest foe taunts with a smirk.
Kyra takes up a fighters stance with a determined look to her normally pleasant features. Then, another screech fills the air.
Above her Ikaros crashed into the man's flesh raking bloody trenches in his open back.
"Fool Bird Come here!" He grunts in anger.
Not wasting a given opportunity Kyra lunges forward her sword piercing his chest. The man going silent and falls backwards landing with a thud.
"Thanks Ikaros!" She stated with a wave and a pleasant smile.
The bird seemed to preen his feathers proudly for a moment before going airborne again.
Kyra turned back to the conflict and once again was nearly at a loss for words.
There Kassandra was, weaving in and out of enemy attacks, stabbing, slicing, bringing foes down nearly with every motion of her weapons. Being paired with an unparalleled combination of speed, power and skill, few in the Greek world could stand against her. Thus far none of these men are proving capable of that feat. She ducked under a swing that would decapitate a lesser warrior forcing him down with a slash across his thigh, then with a savage growl and a particularly fierce upwards jab she pierced the heart of the rather large man. In the process of ripping her weapon free lifted him a foreleg off the ground, with a single arm. It was awe inspiring, if slightly terrifying.
She spun on her heel with a somewhat wild slash, due to the sheer speed and ferocity of her attack managed to beat the others guard. He stood there with his throat cut before falling to earth as if he had no idea what happened.
Nearly as quickly as it began, it was over. Kassandra parried the strike of the last man standing before spinning bringing her Spear into his neck. She stood there, arm flexing for a moment looking into the eyes of her foe, then with a quick jerk downwards snapped his neck.
All alone on the battlefield The Eagle Bearer remained standing as if in silhouette. Head somewhat angled to the ground, feet split apart, spear in one hand, sword in the other. Kyra was always mesmerized by Kassandra's body, and it seemed in the time since they last saw each other the Spartan had only grown more appealing. Her muscular legs, her powerful shoulders and arms. Never mind the bicep on display moments ago which most men would have been proud to claim as their own. Completely ignoring everything else she knew to be true but was currently covered by her armor. It said something that she just laid more than a dozen men low and the only thing to show for it was some light breathing.
Then, under her helmet Kassandra looks towards her, and for a moment their eyes lock. Her eyes… they haven't changed at all. Still a unique golden amber, it was Kassandra alright.
"Kyra!?" She exclaims.
She knew the cloaked rider seemed somewhat familiar, but she never once suspected it would be Kyra. No wonder Aspasia didn't tell her who the diplomat was. Would it mean she wouldn't have taken the assignment if she knew? Well that much she couldn't say, but she would have preferred a warning.
Out of all the diplomats, dignitaries and persons of importance I could have been paid to protect, I had to come face to face with her again.
The woman was still utterly gorgeous, breathtaking even. Same golden tanned skin, same black hair down to her shoulders, same cheek bones, warm brown eyes and full inviting lips…
Suddenly she was back on Mykonos:
'Leave, Leave and never come back!'
She shook her head feeling her temper rising. She still remembered it like it happened yesterday. She was lucky, some days it only came up once or twice. On others, significantly more so.
Tearing her gaze off the girl down way Kassandra took a deep breath trying to calm down. Taking a moment to look through Ikaros's eyes again she discovered many of the camps which dotted the horizon mobilizing. It wouldn't take them long to discover the ambush failed.
Act Kassandra, get moving don't think about it just move! Just do the job be a Misthios and MOVE!
"We need to get out of here." She stated before whistling loudly sheathing her weapons.
Kyra scoffed "What just like that? Not going to tell me what's going on how are you even here?!"
From the tree line Phobos galloped through neighing as he came to a stop near Kyra.
Kassandra closed the distance and without preamble hefted the Archon up as if she were no more than a twig before climbing up herself.
"Kassandra!"
"More are coming." Much more than before… More than I can handle at once.
That quiets the objections, at least temporarily.
"Go Phobos!" She commanded giving the reigns a flick. The horse obeyed with an enviable degree of enthusiasm. Soon they were speeding down the hill angling south and east of Athens instead of her their previous northern orientation.
Kyra moved her arms around Kassandra's waist for stability, breathing deeply trying to keep calm.
This hasn't exactly gone how I envisioned meeting her again…
As tempting as it was to reach up and explore those arms and shoulders she couldn't help but thinking back to Mykonos and the cause of them parting under less than desirable circumstances.
'You HAD to kill him?! You couldn't just knock him out?!'
'He came at me Kyra I had to defend myself! What should I have done!?'
Not a day goes by that she doesn't think back to that memory. To this moment she questions if it should have played out differently. Thankfully she didn't have time to go down memory lane right now. But definitely… when a chance arose. An apology was likely due.
"Can I know where we are going at least?" She asks leaning into Kassandra's back.
"My ship." She answered simply.
Just like her, always so focused on the task at hand. Some elaboration might have been nice.
"Where exactly is your ship? In case you weren't aware there aren't any ports this way." She asked with a slight hint of sarcasm.
"It isn't at a port, it's hidden by a cliff on the open ocean. South of Athens."
So, she came to Athens under cover of anonymity. Don't dock at a port, nobody to ask who you are. Had to be how nobody at the peace talks knew where the Famed Eagle-Bearer was. Nobody, except perhaps Aspasia. What with the war about to resume in full swing and mercenaries in high demand, no doubt she would have had to pay a high price for her services.
Kyra then noticed Ikaros in the sky overhead, to this day despite Kassandra trying multiple times to explain her connection to the bird she still had no clue how it all worked. Possibly because the Spartan herself didn't know the nature of their bond, she just knew how to use it. But judging by the way she tensed up whatever her partner saw wasn't a good thing.
"We are being pursued, they have horses after us."
"Are they close?"
"Fairly."
I'm getting a bit tired of these one word answers. Wait a moment, all those military camps we past? They couldn't all be after us now could they?
With a deep breath Kyra wasn't sure if she was pleased to discover that Kassandra was still the beautiful, physically gifted, intelligent but challenging and driven if rough around the edges person she met before. But it did mean they had a common ground to build from at least.
In moments like this she really missed Praxos, her bodyguard and confidant from Mykonos. Not that she didn't trust in Kassandra's ability… speaking which.
"Why are you here?" She asked, then because she just decided to skip to the next logical question added:
"Who hired you?"
Kassandra clearly hesitated, but ultimately decided the name of her benefactor shouldn't be top secret. "Aspasia."
That figures… The only reason Praxos agreed to remain behind is Aspasia personally guaranteed her safety during the talks. Clearly something broke down like she suspected and had to act. Like hiring the Eagle-Bearer to ensure her safety. No wonder she had to leave so suddenly last night.
. . .
Really it's a brilliant move. She keeps her word to Mykonos thus not angering that camp, and her enemies inside the Athenian government would likely never be able to prove her involvement if it ever came about. At least assuming her chosen Misthios is up to the task.
"What direction are the riders after us coming from?" She asks keeping her voice calm.
"North and east of us."
Phobos continued charging along the road south. Passing farms, broken ruins, anything along either side of the road. What startled the Archon was Kassandra cursing under her breath.
"What's wrong now?"
With a deep breath the Eagle-Bearer spun Phobos westward not slowing his stride.
"See that smoke ahead of us to the left?" she asked.
Looking over her shoulder Kyra replied "Yes, so what?"
"So that was the bridge to the cove where my ship is waiting being lit on fire."
Kyra gave a dumbstruck look to Ikaros in the sky. The bird continued to fly onward to the point he was nearly outside of visual range.
"Where is he going?" Kyra asked before an arrow flew overhead.
"They caught up to us!"
"Yes I can see that! Switch with me I'll shoot back!" Kassandra ordered.
Kyra gave a near amused scowl into the Amazons back before giving forth an oddly jovial "What's the point of that?"
She scooted back a bit and with a smile liberated Kassandra's bow and quiver not being shy at all about where her hands wandered in the act itself.
"Hey what are you?" Kassandra started to object.
"I can shoot just fine lest you have forgotten!"
With a smile Kyra strapped on the quiver securing the bow on her back, then put her hands on the horses back before pushing herself up and rotating around. Easily spotting the shooter, or in this case shooters as several men on horseback were pursuing them.
"They seem to be faster than us!" Kyra shouted drawing an arrow preparing to fire.
Focusing fully on her driving Kassandra replied "He was bred for stamina not speed!"
"Hard turn to the right in five, four, three …" Kassandra shouted out.
Anticipating the motion Kyra steadied her breath and thus was ready when the Spartan made a sharp break to the right. She quickly pulled back on the string and let loose a shot. Her aim proved true as it struck its target knocking him from his horse.
"Back left in three!"
Unsure but uncaring what's the cause for these course corrections all Kyra focused on was lining up the next shot…
The instant before Kassandra made another sharp turn Kyra fired again. It might not have been the most masterful of strokes but it still hit her target on the shoulder, rendering his bow useless with one good arm.
Back on the Adrestia Barnabas enjoyed the downtime. Working for Kassandra was at times a very demanding thing, but it was always rewarding. Kassandra treated her crew well, paid well for sure. She had put forth a venerable fortune into upgrading her ship, to the degree now it was the finest vessel in the Aegean. In terms of a warship it possessed the finest armor and weapons technology available, and they had the amenities to stay at sea longer than normal if needed. An enhanced storage room and fishing equipment meant the crew always had something to do to pass the time and they always had plenty to eat. It got a bit slow at times, even so it was nice to just spend an afternoon fishing with those he cared about.
"The fish are biting today lads!" He boasted pulling out another fish to add to the pile.
"Careful Barnabas, one might think you have bribed Poseidon to pull that much from his realm." Iola teased by his side.
He issued a hearty laugh "Lassy, I am blessed by him! One such as myself has no need to bribe!"
Before anything further could be said Ikaros descended down on the pile of fish. Open winged and squawking obnoxiously before taking flight back skywards again. He may or may not have stolen a fish as he flew off.
"What was that fool bird doing?" Iola asked.
Barnabas stood however and brought his hands to frame his mouth "GET the ship moving lads! Bring her about down the coastline!"
Iola stood and started stowing the fishing equipment and their catches while he continued.
"That my dear, is Kassandra telling us it was time for Plan C."
She sent a disbelieving glance back his way "As I recall Plan C was mostly adlib as we go."
With a hearty laugh he agreed "That it was my dear! But before we can join the dance we must first arrive at the party!"
He took his captains place at the head of the upper level, typically where Kassandra would stand while directing the ship. By now the crew was ready to move and follow commands.
"Right, get the oars out! To Starboard!"
Continuing to dodge arrow fire and retaliate in kind Kyra had to have put more than a dozen men out of action.
"Nice shot!" Kassandra complimented still pushing Phobos along as quickly as he could go.
Kyra smiled, ignoring the circumstance it was nice to see they could still work well together, just like old times. Sadly she was also starting to run out of arrows.
"On the ridge to the left! Lots of em!" Kassandra warned.
Kyra cursed and swapped forward to get a line on them letting loose soon as they came into range.
"I only have one arrow left… Well two I guess there is this thing here I don't really trust."
Looking behind briefly Kassandra commented "That's an explosive arrow, it packs a punch but be careful. It could light us on fire as easily as them."
Explosive arrow? Where in Hades did she learn to make that?!
Phobos quickly sped them out of range of those on the cliff. Though Kassandra also intelligently stayed as close to the rock face as possible to limit their line of sight, thus Kyra rotated around to look backwards again. It was then she saw a welcome sight.
"Ikaros is above us again!" She announced cheerfully.
"I know."
Yeah, I guess she would.
A cluster of riders emerged from the nearby road much closer than the others. These were armed with spears and snake encrusted shields, fairly well armored wearing shiny masks.
"Uh… Kassandra? Who are these guys with masks?"
Using Ikaros so as to not… you know… crash horribly Kassandra replied "Malaka! Full blown Cultists now! Either they are getting bold or desperate!"
Well… this proves it. The cult is most definitely involved and has a hand in both nations.
Twirling the 'Explosive arrow' in her fingers Kyra eventually shrugged pulling the line on the arrow to light it up. "That's right stay nice and tight…"
Taking aim at the center most figure while Kassandra announced "Be quick, shoot then hold on tight! This could get rocky!"
The new arrivals were gaining on them with remarkable quickness, either Phobos was starting to tire or these new threats simply had access to significantly faster horses.
Taking her lone ally to heart Kyra had to guesstimate the arrows flight path by its much heavier weight, but when she was satisfied let it go.
She really wasn't sure what to expect but felt the heat of the resulting explosion from several feet away as around 10 riders were engulfed in flames.
"Ahhh! FIRE!" Several of them shouted.
Well that's one way to clear a road.
"Quickly turn around and hold on tight! We don't have much time!" Kassandra ordered.
Trusting her explicitly in this she faced forward wrapped her arms around her ally… and was alarmed by the lack of ground ahead of them. All she saw was a great blue ocean stretching on far as she could see.
"K-KAss! KASSSSANDDRAAAA ARE YOU MADD!?" She shouted as Phobos loyally ran right to that cliffs edge and leapt off.
. . .
To land on the deck of the Adrestia.
"Rowers! More speed get us out to sea!" Barnabas bellowed from the command deck.
As the Adrestia picked up speed and got safely away from the cliffs edge more and more figures came into view until there had to be more than 100 soldiers up there, all of them eying the ship as it carried them away.
"Welcome aboard Commander!" Barnabas trumpeted walking over to the horse. When he noticed the second passenger on Phobos his eternally bright outlook lost a touch of its luster.
"Oh… Of course it would be Kyra…oh boy…" He said under his breath.
Seeing Kassandra sweep her legs over and gracefully get off her horse without offering Kyra any help confirmed what he feared, this situation might yet be fraught with dangers both seen and unforeseen.
With a shake of the head he put on a brave face "Lady Kyra how delightful to see you again! You have not lost any of Aphrodite's blessings in your time away I see." He offered a hand to help her off the horse… something unneeded of course but he was at heart a gentleman through and through.
Adapting to the new setting with ease Kyra graciously accepted the offered hand and elegantly slipped herself off Phobos. "Barnabas, how wonderful to see you again."
Kassandra appeared to head straight back to the captain's room at the back of the ship, but evidently changed her mind as she veered back towards Kyra.
The Archon tensed up as she approached, unsure what conversation would bring but at this point would have welcomed whatever Kassandra had in mind. A frantic ride through enemy territory dodging enemy fire in close proximity to a former lover… who still possessed a fair amount of her heart went a long way to breaking the ice as far as she was concerned.
Unfortunately she just held out her hand not willing to meet her gaze. "Barnabas would you mind having someone bring some supplies up from the lower deck? I have to replace all my arrows it seems."
Kyra smiled brightly and placed the bow on her hand, but felt herself compelled to say "Not, all, your arrows." Placing the quiver on her very impressive arm showing that a single arrow did in fact remain.
The Eagle-Bearer took a brief look at the remaining arrow before shrugging "Just about all my arrows, I stand corrected."
"Captain, I think Phobos may have been clipped by stray fire. He has a few cuts on him." Barnabas announced.
Kassandra seemed oddly eager to move away from Kyra as she went back to her horse and rubbed his neck "Yeah I caught one too." It was then Kyra spotted the open wound on her powerful thigh "Take him below deck and have our medic take a look at him. He was very brave today, make sure he gets a few apples ok?"
Phobos neighed happily as if he understood and touched his owner on the nose affectionately.
She turned to head back to her room. It was here that Ikaros decided to take his spot on the guardrail overlooking the deck. Kassandra stopped briefly at her loyal friend, giving his head a pat and his breast a scratch. Kyra couldn't help but smile to herself as the bird opened its wings seemingly directing her fingers.
"Nice flying today."
"Will do Commander! Would uh… would you like anything brought to you? Some bandages perhaps?" Barnabas inquired.
Looking back briefly once she got to the door she said simply "Wine… wine and some food would be great."
He nodded at her before inquiring "What course Commander?"
Kassandra spared her friend a brief look as she answered "Mykonos."
Then she disappeared inside.
Sensing a chance to finally have a real talk Kyra decided to chase after her-
"Lady Kyra."
She turned back towards the veteran boat master. "Not now." He finished.
With the course relayed by the Captain and Barnabas taking the helm the deck was alight with activity as crewmates moved with a frenzy. Phobos was brought below deck, the sail was brought down and Kyra was left without a clue of what to do. She wandered up to the command deck to ply Ikaros with some affection. Thankfully the Eagle was either simply happy for the attention or maybe he remembered her. Either way it brought a smile to her features.
"I seem to recall Herodotus traveled aboard this ship yet I don't see him." She stated easily taking a seat next to the door leading to Kassandra's room.
Barnabas nodded "Yes, he took his leave to return to Athens for the peace talks. He was always a servant of Perikles and I believe he will offer those same services to Aspasia. He left when we dropped off the Commander for this latest job."
Silence drew on between them for an uncomfortable amount of seconds with nothing but the waves and sounds of the boat to fill the time in. Some minutes later they began to sing, nothing later scholars would record in terms of quality but it never ceased to surprise her the people Kassandra kept on her crew. To have a ship full of people who could actually sing fairly well had to be a blessing for longer voyages.
"Can I go talk to Kassandra? I should thank her for the rather daring rescue." And other more personal topics as well.
"Indeed you have quite the tale to share don't you! You really must tell me how that happened! All I have for answers right now is whatever Ikaros can regale!"
Kyra chuckled, but recognized a feint when she saw one. "It's nothing you likely don't already know. I was going along the road when my party was ambushed. Kassandra emerged from the tree line to save me. She must have been hiding in the bushes I had no idea she was here until she rather vocally made herself known." It shouldn't, but it did surprise her how casually Kassandra could just throw herself at a cluster of more than a dozen trained well armed men and emerge without a scratch.
"Worthy of the legends of old I say! Surely future generations will speak as fondly of that moment as they do the labors of Herakles!"
"Barnabas… I would like to speak to Kassandra." Kyra stated patiently putting her intense brown eyes squarely fixed on the others back.
With a sigh he turned around "Kyra my dear, that would not be wise."
She certainly had no troubles guessing why. But decided to press him a bit more regardless "She was wounded looking out for me. At the very least I can look at her leg."
And… other limbs as well potentially.
"I am sure you could! But for now I would ask that you remain here."
Not happy, but accepting that for the time being Kyra stood and moved to the guardrail on the other side looking over the sea. She knew the Adrestia was as fine a vessel as you would find. Thus it would make good time cutting its way through the waves towards Mykonos. Even so…
"Barnabas. This trip will take a few days at least. Eventually she and I will come face to face. We have to talk at some point." I must speak with her… Please.
He turned back to face her. "Of that I do not doubt, but for now let's give the Captain some time to get prepared for that idea shall we?"
Oh like seeing her… being so near her is going to be so easy for me will it?! She isn't the only one troubled by that night! If it haunts her as much as it does me…
Kyra was very near to voicing those thoughts. In the end though… Barnabas was the closest thing Kassandra had to Praxos. And Praxos would most definitely admit there were plenty of occasions when Kyra had to vent, or more accurately console her whenever the subject of Kassandra or Theletas came up. Be it regret over the death of a friend, or the much the same feeling over how she treated a loved one. Incidents which seemed to happen with a startling degree of frequency.
It was no secret who won the day for the rebels after all. Everybody worked towards it, but without Kassandra there would have been no victory. Everyone in the resistance knew it and not a day went by when there wasn't a toast to the Eagle-Bearer and her contribution to the rebellion.
Escaping this was impossible for both parties.
By the time night rolled around activity on the ship had died down. Much of the crew was now asleep. Barnabas remained at the helm, but it would not be much longer until one of Kassandra's lieutenants relieved him over the night. The old man couldn't stay awake forever after all. She had somewhat expected the Spartan to leave her room and rejoin the crew. Yet it simply had not happened yet. Supplies were brought to her as requested, but she didn't think they were enough to last all night.
Deciding in the next handful of seconds she stood and moved next to the older man. Given the privacy night granted, she spoke a bit more personally.
"Barnabas. Being around her is not easy for me either, I am still haunted by what happened that night. I am not however trying to make this about me. Somebody should check on her wound, and I need to thank her for what she did for me today. I'm going inside."
He turned to face her and made to speak a few times. Before deciding with "Ahh to be young and headstrong again." He paused and took a deep breath.
"Kyra, I love Kassandra like the daughter I never had, I don't want to see her hurt again. You need to understand that."
"Look, I just saw 4 people who had swore to protect me die right in front of me. I saw a… a ghost from the past emerge from hiding with the fury of a storm to cut down a troop of armed men and I fear war will come to Mykonos again. There are problems that must be addressed. I must speak with her. Please Barnabas."
He held her gaze for a few heartbeats "If she asks you to leave, you must do so. This is her ship, she is my Captain as well as my friend. That is not negotiable."
She nodded in understanding then pushed herself off the railing and moved to the door.
Shutting the door behind her Kyra had to admit, she was surprised. Kassandra's accommodations were rather simple, very Spartan however. There were a few stands for armor likely suited to the different tasks she might need to perform as a Misthios. The armor she wore that day had been cleaned and placed back on its stand. Various weapons were on the wall behind them. A desk and chair were present as well. Beyond that all that remained was a bed. Contrary to Kassandra's reputation as having a woman in every port this bed was simple. Barely big enough for the Amazon herself, let alone her and another woman. As for the Spartan herself…
Well she had cleaned and dressed her wound. Probably washed herself down too. Otherwise Kyra wasn't sure what exactly she was wearing. Her hair was out of its normal tied up braid. Her back was to her and it, like the rest of her, was mesmerizing for Kyra. Toned in the extreme with thick muscles running all the way down. It matched the rest of her that's for sure.
She took a pull of her cup draining it completely before setting it back down.
"Barnabas if I needed something I would have sent for it. I am ok you don't need to check on me."
"It's me." Kyra advertised.
For a time Kassandra was silent, barely even moving. For the moment Kyra would just watch as her shoulders rose and fell with her breathing, oddly captivating.
"Kassandra this is not going to be easy on either of us. We can't avoid each other the entire trip. We need to talk. Please?" The Archon pressed softly, not exactly how she figured the setting when she had this opportunity, but she would try to make the best of it.
Kassandra refilled her wine cup, and took another swig.
"Talk then."
For a moment Kyra was back on Mykonos just barely holding back tears. There they were in a victory celebration, and Kassandra just told her that Theletas is dead… dead by her own hand. Her fiancé, a man who she loved and respected, was dead.
She shook her head again. Not now! Not when we can try to fix this!
She took another few cautious steps in the room. Trying to ease into the conversation which was long overdue by now, but remained very very necessary.
"I wanted to thank you for today. You saved my life and I am grateful. Thank you for that." Spoken earnestly.
"You are welcome" the eventual reply comes, still not so much as sending a glance in her direction.
"Kassandra could you at least do me the service of looking at me while we talk? Please?"
The bigger woman looked back over her shoulder slightly before standing up fully. For a brief few moments Kassandra was truly naked before her, until a spartan red chiton found its way over her broad shoulders and tied up at the waist. Keeping her dignity intact but leaving very little to the imagination. She moved to stand a stride away from the slighter Kyra standing a full head over her not hiding any of her physicality at the moment.
Think Kyra… Just keep breathing. Don't screw this up.
Kassandra planted her feet firmly on the deck before her, then crossed her arms.
Not expecting this Kyra turns to the side and spots something she didn't notice previously. Finally! Something we can talk about.
"Nice flowers."
Kassandra seemed confused looking towards the wall over her bed. "It's a wreath."
"Never took you to care all that much about flowers."
The Spartan shook her head "I don't, I won those in the Olympics."
Kyra angled her head to the side "You competed in the Olympics?"
"I represented Sparta in the Pankration. The chosen representative had an accident, I had to step in."
Kyra took a moment to process that. This woman standing before her without training for the event all her life like all the other contestants was able to do more than merely step in as a substitute but was able to actually WIN the contest on the first try. A hand to hand combat based contest so unforgiving that sometimes loss of life occurs. Was there anything she couldn't do?
"I am sure there is a story about that. I'd love to hear it." Kyra inquired, eager to keep her friend speaking.
Kyra waited an uncomfortable amount of time for Kassandra to reply, instead she just stood her ground as if she were no more than a human statue made out of the marble she closely resembled.
"Kassandra we need to have a talk, there's a lot we need to speak about. Talk to me, please?"
The Misthios sharpened her gaze.
"Talk, like how we spoke about Theletas?"
"We both made our share of mistakes with him. Kassandra I…" She falters a bit under Kassandra's intense glare.
For a time Kassandra steps even closer.
Suddenly she was back on Mykonos again.
'Leave, Leave this very day and never return! I never want to see you again!'
She shook her head.
Being this close to Kyra was positively torturous. It was bad enough having her arms wrapped around her stomach on the horse ride over, but at least she had the small mercy of not being able to see her then. This was all together too painful. Kyra truly if anything has grown even more beautiful in the intervening months.
Even her smell was the same… Fresh seawater and freshly picked fruit. She didn't even want to consider if she tasted the same. Seeing her this close, within arm's reach looking at her like she was… It was enough to send her head spinning to a place she had longed for every day for the last three months, but never suspected she could return too. Part of her wanted nothing more than to wrap her arms around her delectable form and inhale that sweet scent of hers. The other remained justifiably upset over being sent away for the crime of defending herself.
The muscles in her jaw seemed tense, the look in her eyes changed from hurt, to anger, to… a combination of emotions Kyra couldn't place.
'What was I supposed to do Kyra? DIE? He lunged at me. I pushed him away. He got back up and attacked again. I knocked him to the ground. HE still didn't quit. He got back up, rushed me again. I finally fought back, bruised him up a bit and left him in the sand. I gave him EVERY chance to stand down I pleaded with him for Zeus' sake! I even began to walk away! HE GOT BACK UP AND RAN AFTER ME KYRA! He would not let it go I HAD TO! HE was my friend too, my own comrade in arms!'
Her breathing intensifies as her nostrils flare.
'He was A fellow Spartan, A good man… just another soul for the Ferryman now.'
Even now Kyra could tell, Kassandra was conflicted. Torn between a desire to toss her out the door, and… dragging her to bed? Wishful thinking on her part? Definitely didn't think so, she recognized many of the looks being directed at her now. Still, some powerful emotions were buried just beneath the surface there. Rather shocking its staying there given Kassandra's legendarily poor impulse control.
Kyra spoke more tender and gentle than before as she dared enough to reach out for the others hand "Kassandra, you need to speak the words. I don't understand grumbles, heavy breathing and hand motions like Ikaros. I want to work through this, but it means we both have to push towards it." Can we finally have a real talk about this?
Kassandra closes her eyes briefly with a brief shake of her head. She leans close, close enough to land a kiss easily. Upon reflection Kyra wouldn't even have resisted that. She was almost anticipating it, eager for it as Kassandra moved her right arm forwards towards her hip.
"No, I think that's enough for tonight." More thoughts threaten to emerge, some of them hopes from a time before, but the Eagle Bearer did not mean to open old wounds for either of them. She simply wasn't ready for that yet.
'You told me to stay away, I've tried. Even when it nearly killed me and I wanted to go back to you, I tried. That's all I can ever do, try.'
Instead of gripping Kyra's hip, her hand found its way to the door and opened it.
"We will drop you off safely on your island Archon. Then we will leave and be out of your way. Please enjoy your night." With a head motion towards the door, clearly a dismissal.
Kyra opened her mouth as if to speak. There was still so much she wanted… needed to say. An apology first and foremost, but with Barnabas gently gripping her upper arm and Kassandra looking very conflicted she decided to relent without a fuss. There would surely be more chances to speak, Kassandra might just need more time. She had no desire to make this more difficult for either party. She knew it was a matter of having the correct timing, but finding that moment was proving to be challenging.
Not the best conversation imaginable, but… it was better than nothing. At least there is some hope for the future there.
Some days later the Adrestia arrived at its destination. Kassandra did eventually leave her room to take her turns on commanding the vessel, but when she wasn't engaged on official business she remained sequestered in her room. Likely drinking enough wine to put several grown men out for a fortnight, but Kassandra, blessed with the constitution of an ox gave no impressions she even felt it.
Up until the exact moment that they arrived Kyra did not know what she would do if Kassandra's stance didn't change. She could not act based off of feelings and rumors, that might work as a Rebel Leader, not as an Archon. However those rumors ceased to be as they approached. The Adrestia had to take a wide berth as the Athenian Navy had already arrived on the sister island of Delos. Judging by the sheer number of Athenian banners on the island and ships on the water it was already fully under their control. Clearly using it as a staging point for an attack on nearby Mykonos was a foregone conclusion.
Rounding the island to the port on Mykonos brought a smile as she identified the large bearish form of Praxos rushing down towards the dock.
"Aspasia must have sent word you would arrive on this ship." Barnabas mentioned casually. To his left Kassandra stood silently observing the situation outfitted with her traditional weapons but she wore more casual clothing normally used for hunting, clearly not expecting a fight.
As the Adrestia continued to approach Myconos, Kyra spotted dozens of Athenian ships on the horizon, circling the island like a shark might its prey. Of the Spartan fleet protecting the island none were found. A Spartan banner remained floating above the nearby Fort, but its fleet had either fled, or was sent to Poseidon's realm already.
Clearly she was right to worry. Her home was indeed fated to be the next major battleground in this endless war. They did not have near the numbers to fight this battle. Not nearly enough time had passed to replenish their ranks, the last conflict robbed them of most of their strength.
"It seems they don't want to test their luck against the Adrestia! They are allowing us to make port!" Barnabas announced joyously.
Yes, but will they let you leave?
Now frantically shifting her glance between her former lover to her left and the Mighty Athenian fleet all around her, Kyra was faced with a simple, but extremely difficult choice. She could gamble, try to put the word out and hope she could draw enough outside help to be able to put up a fight to keep her home safe.
She looked to the left and fixed her gaze on Kassandra.
Or she could somehow convince the Legendary Eagle Bearer to help save her island home a second time.
A/N
So, putting something new up here. Played Odyssey and while I will have on my tombstone that Kassandra basically is the perfect girl in so far as I'm concerned, I find myself disappointed with Ubisoft and the ending they gave her. So much so I am compelled into starting up a new story. Right now I might even do a second more ambitious story once this is done.
For those of you hoping to see an update to 4 Years know that I have not given up on that story. As my last AN made known I am going through a rough patch in my life. I simply have to put up with anxiety on the regular that makes focusing on anything extremely difficult. I am working on the story a bit everyday now. I cannot commit to a set update schedule, but I repeat what I said before. I have not abandoned that project.
As for this story I do hope that it is found to be entertaining, and I am very eager to hear what folk think about it.