Chapter 4 :
A/N: Sorry the update took so long, the holidays, work, the lack of feedback on my Croft Legacy fic and this one, the mess with the new Odyssey DLC (we can't have nice things, can we?), it was hard to find the motivation or inspiration but I'm gonna have some free time soon and I should be able to go back to it. Reviews make my day.
The next day, the three women searched the area around the temple for the better part of the morning before they decided to go explore the tomb of the first Pythia.
When they arrived at the Tomb, Kassandra quickly dismounted Phobos and helped Sam get down from hers and Lara's horse, leading the producer toward the statue of the Pythia.
The archaeologist clenched her jaw, trying to ignore the sweet gesture – something she was planning on doing - as she hurriedly dismounted the horse and followed them.
Once they were in front of the statue, Lara felt more in her element. She looked at all the offerings, commenting on them as Sam watched her lovingly, knowing it was just what her wife needed to relax.
Kassandra motioned for them to follow her inside. "Watch out for the snakes, they are everywhere." She grabbed a torch and led the way. It didn't take long for them to run into a reptile. The mercenary unsheathed her spear and cut it in half.
"You didn't say much about your spear, yesterday. Your mother gave it to you, but how did you discover its power?" Lara questioned.
"I always felt something while wielding it but, I only realized the extent of its power when I found a cave in Andros that allows me to..." Kassandra paused, as if looking for the right word. "Enhance it." She quickened her pace. "There is something I need to show you." She led them to the ancient stele she had found a while ago, standing to the side so her new companions could look at it. "I don't know how, but this stele is made of the same material as the one I found in the cave."
Lara approached the stele, studying it intently. "You said it was from the 'people from before', do you know more about that?"
"No, and it is not a language I understand." The mercenary answered. "You two seem smart, maybe you'll have a better chance …" As she let Lara study the stele, she rummaged through some crates that she had left behind the last time she explored the place.
"It looks like nothing I have seen before." The archaeologist touched the stele, intrigued by the light emanating from it. "Some symbols are similar to hieroglyphs but… I can't translate anything. Is it the only stele you found?"
"No, I found others in tombs, always with these symbols on it." Kassandra informed her.
"Maybe you could show us the cave?" Sam jumped in. "I mean, whatever this is, I'm pretty sure it has something to do with the artifact the Templars are after."
"It is far from here… And I don't know if I can bring people with me." The Spartan woman hesitated. "I'll think about it."
They checked the rest of the tomb for more information but they quickly realized it was pointless so they made their way out.
Once they were outside, Kassandra approached Sam, almost shyly, as she took something out of her pocket. "I found this bracelet, you should have it," She showed her the piece of jewelry. "It will suit you more than me." She put it on the producer's wrist after the woman nodded in approval. "And if you ever need money, I'm sure you can sell it for good drachmae."
"Oh my God, that's so sweet, thank you!" Sam hugged Kassandra happily. "And I won't sell it, it's a gift."
The mercenary patted the woman's back awkwardly, hastily stepping away before looking at Lara who was standing a few steps away. "I have some pieces of armors in the ship chest, you should take a look and take what you need."
"I…" Lara was interrupted by some shouting coming from behind them. She turned around and saw three men with black and white paint on their faces running in their direction.
"We are going to send you and your new friends to Hades, misthios." The leader roared.
Kassandra and Lara reached for their weapon and quickly got rid of two of them. When they turned around to check on Sam, they saw her knock the last assailant with an amphora.
Sam made sure the man was unconscious before looking up, feeling eyes on her. "What?" She raised a defiant eyebrow. "I thought maybe we could interrogate him instead of slaughtering them all… They must have a reason for always popping out of nowhere to kill you."
"I know who they are, they are followers of Ares." Kassandra told them.
"Why did they say we were your new friends?" Lara inquired.
"I don't know," The mercenary shrugged. "Because you were standing next to me?"
"Well, since one of them is still alive, perhaps we should make sure of that." The Englishwoman took a few steps to stand above the man, pushing his body with her boot to see his face. "It seems like they knew we were here and were waiting for us."
"All right, let's bring him inside." Without waiting for help, Kassandra lifted the man and put him on her shoulder, bringing him in the first room of the tomb before dropping him unceremoniously.
"Isn't a tomb sacred?" The filmmaker questioned as she and Lara joined her. "Shouldn't we take him somewhere else?"
"I'm sure the Gods can make an exception for once." The Spartan soldier answered, kicking the man to wake him up. When he finally came back to consciousness, she asked. "Who are you working for and why did you attack us?"
"I will kill you!" The man threatened.
Kassandra chuckled darkly. "I heard that a lot and I'm still here, unlike the ones who tried to stop me."
"You can kill me but others will rise." The cultist sneered. "We are watching you. We know that two warriors joined you and once the cult knows too, they will be dead."
"So you are with the cult of Kosmos, then." The mercenary declared with a sigh. "I thought I already killed your leader."
"Another one has risen, we can't be stopped." The man laughed maniacally.
"Give me time, I will kill each and every one of you." Kassandra said just before slitting his throat.
Sam gasped "Oh, God." She took a step backward, looking up as the man choked on his own blood.
"Why did you do that?" Lara yelled, angry. "I had questions too!"
"He would have told you lies, that's what they do." The Spartan woman replied unfazed, cleaning her blade on the man's clothes before slowly walking out of the tomb.
"But he said they'll come after us!" The archaeologist insisted, following her. "And what is this cult?"
"Then I need to find where they are hiding before they spread the word further." Ignoring Lara's question, Kassandra whistled, waiting for Phobos to come to her before mounting him.
"That doesn't answer my question about the cult." Lara stepped in front of the horse, hands on her hips. "We were sent here to find an artifact, not being hunted by cultists or going to war."
The misthios sighed tiredly. "I will tell you on our way to the ship. Now come, we have to hurry."
"I don't like the turn it's taking." Sam said, worry written all over her face. "We need to find this freaking artifact or a way to wake up because, at this rate, we won't survive the week."
"I know." The Englishwoman jumped on the horse, waiting for her wife to do the same. "But for now, I think we should make sure they don't send any more people to kill us." She pulled on the reins, guiding the horse so they could follow Kassandra.
Sam leaned closer to her wife, lost in thought for a while until she asked. "Why are you so cold to her?"
"I am not." Lara denied.
"Really?" The filmmaker knew her wife too much to not recognize her bold lie. "Because it looks to me like you're telling her off every time she tries to help you."
"I don't have to be all over her to thank her." Lara huffed. "You're doing it well enough for the both of us."
"Okay," Sam pulled away, making some space between her and Lara while trying not to fall from the horse. "For the sake of this trip, I'm going to ignore that, but check yourself, sweetie. I might not let it slide next time."
Lara felt the annoyance in her wife's voice and decided to keep her mouth shut, knowing it would only make it worse.
Once they reached the ship, Barnabas waved at them, clearly confused to see them back so soon. "Back already?"
"We ran into some followers of Ares," Kassandra answered. "They are definitely working for the cult of Kosmos."
"Are you hurt?" The captain asked Sam and Lara.
Lara shook her head, surprised by man's concern. "We're okay."
"I need you to meet your contact and find where they are hiding." The mercenary ordered Barnabas.
The man frowned. "Now?"
"Yes, Barnabas, now."
The captain bowed in understanding and left to do his task.
"When you find out where they are, I'm coming with you." Lara stated.
"It's too dangerous." The Spartan woman shook her head. "Like you said, it is my fight, not yours and I don't want you to get hurt because of me."
"Well, it's too late for that." The archaeologist countered, standing her ground. "They attacked us so it is my problem too."
"Yes, we can help you." Sam agreed with her wife.
"No, you're not coming." Lara said in a voice that brought no argument.
"Seriously?" The producer put her hand on her hip to show her annoyance. She knew that tone, it was the one Lara used when she refused to let her go on a dangerous expedition and she never liked it. "I'm my own person, I make my own decision and I won't let you go there alone."
"I am not alone, she will be with me." The English woman pointed out, as if it was a solid point.
Kassandra was standing next to the couple, silently watching them fight until she had to jump in. "I haven't agreed to anything."
Sam lifted her hand in front of Kassandra's face as if to tell her not to interfere. "They attacked me too in case you haven't noticed." She pointed at herself. "I can help."
"We're not at home," Lara reminded her wife, suddenly missing her gear more than ever. "We don't have guns or explosive, you…"
"So what?" The filmmaker cut her off. "It doesn't mean I can't fight."
"Hum…" The mercenary squirmed uncomfortably, looking everywhere but at the couple as if trying to find an excuse to leave. "I have to speak with Odessa, take your time…" She discreetly made her exit.
"Sam, please," The archeologist begged. "I'm not the best with a sword, so if anyone tries to hurt you, it…"
"It means I would be useless, right?" Sam crossed her arms, offended. She knew Lara only had her best in mind, but it was hard not to feel coddled in those moments.
"No, no, that's not what I meant." The Englishwoman gently led her wife to the side as she noticed the crew watching them.
The producer looked at her, doubtful. "Well, that's how it sounded."
Lara stopped, taking a deep breath. "I know you can defend yourself, I saw it many times. But here, we have no idea who we are fighting against, let alone how many they are. I won't be able to focus if I worry about someone hurting you."
"They could attack us here." The filmmaker remarked, trying to make a point.
"You have a whole crew to defend you if it happens." Lara countered easily.
"But if I'm with you, I'll have a kickass wife and a mercenary friend to help." Sam smiled, proud of her argument.
"But they will be busy fighting."
"Why do we always have to fight about this?" The older woman sighed wearily. "You know, I could just wait for you to leave and then follow you."
"You won't." The archaeologist answered. "She barely wants me with her, so please, for my peace of mind, and hers, stay here. Try to gather some information from the crew."
Sam ran her hand through her hair, tired of fighting. "I don't really like you right now."
"I know," Lara reached out to squeeze her wife's arm. "But if it means you're safe, I'm okay with that, because your safety is the most important thing to me."
"Urgh," The producer groaned. "Don't be sweet, you have no right."
"You'll come and explore the area with us, I promise, but not this." The Englishwoman assured her.
"Fine." Sam finally caved. "But you better come back in one piece, you hear me."
"Yes…" Lara kissed Sam's forehead tenderly. "Thank you. I love you." She stepped away and waved at Kassandra to signal her they were done.
Kassandra excused herself and joined the couple. "So…"
"I'm coming with you, that's none negotiable." Lara informed the woman. "But Sam will stay here."
"Okay." The mercenary answered simply.
"Okay?" Lara raised an eyebrow. "That's it?"
"We need to find them soon and it would be a waste of time to argue with you, so okay." Kassandra developed this time. "Go look into the chest if something fits you." She thumbed toward the back of the ship.
Lara nodded, caressing Sam's hand before walking to the chest.
Kassandra smiled at the petite woman before taking a step back, ready to leave. Sam stopped her. "I know we just met and you don't owe us anything." She started. "But please, keep her safe. I know she has skills, but we're not from here..."
"Don't worry, Prinkipissa," The mercenary put a reassuring hand on Sam's shoulder. "I will keep your woman safe. You have my word."
"Thank you." Sam smiled gratefully. "Wait, prinkipissa?"
"I thought it suited you, you keep ordering us around." Kassandra joked before studying Sam's reaction, suddenly worried she had overstepped.
"I like it." The filmmaker grinned. "Should I call you misthios?"
The mercenary chuckled. "No, only strangers call me that and Barnabas sometimes."
Sam hummed, thinking for a moment. "I'm gonna call you Kassie, then."
"Kassie?" Kassandra repeated. "I like that."
"Good." The producer turned serious again. "I know it doesn't look like it right now, when she's in her 'woman on a mission' mode, but Lara will have your back too."
"You shouldn't be mad at her for asking you to stay. She's just trying to protect you. I would do the same with the people I care about," The Spartan woman admitted. "Even if I know they're good warriors."
"I know," Sam sighed, glancing at Lara who was trying on a breastplate. "I just wish I could do more."
Kassandra followed her line of sight and saw Lara look away, pretending that she wasn't watching them. "I'm sure you're doing plenty, just leave the rest to me."
The petite woman snorted. "Does it mean it's gonna cost me?"
"No," The mercenary laughed with her. "For a friend like you, I'm willing to do it for free."
"How gracious of you." They both laughed.
An hour later, Barnabas came back with the information they needed. The followers of Ares were in a cave, North West of the village.
As Kassandra and Lara got ready to leave, Sam walked toward the horses with them, Odessa waiting a few steps behind them. "Please be careful and don't anything rash."
"Me? Rash?" Lara and Kassandra said simultaneously as they mounted their horse.
The producer laughed, the two women were more similar than they thought. "Sure." She stood there, watching them go as she waved at them with a smile on her face. "Oh God, I'm gonna have fantasies about this…" She mumbled.
"Kassandra is a great lover." Odessa stated, joining her.
"Are you two together?" Sam questioned, curious after watching them flirt together the first night they found Kassandra.
"No. It is just for fun." Odessa answered truthfully. "She can't be tied down. Or so I thought before Ky…" She stopped herself, as if realizing she had already said too much. "Maybe it will change when she meets the right one."
"Maybe…" The filmmaker trailed off, aware of the slip-up. So the mighty misthios had someone special in her life, she thought, it wasn't something that was in the manuscript, at least not in the parts they had been able to decipher.
"Now come on, Kassandra asked me to train you with a sword." Odessa motioned for Sam to follow her.
"Oh, that won't be pretty…"
Kassandra and Lara rode in tense silence until they found the entrance of the cave. It was practically night outside but it gave them an advantage to sneak in.
"We have to be careful, they'll be on high alert." The mercenary stated. "Can you get rid of them discreetly?"
"Yes, this is not my first time on the field."
"Okay." The misthios raised her hands to show she didn't mean anything by it. "We have to find their captain, he'll know if the cult has been informed yet or not." She scrunched down and made her way into the cave, closely followed by Lara. The first two guards were easy to take down so they quickly went further inside. They got rid of a couple of others, making sure they had killed everyone before looking for the captain. They found him at the end of a small path, taking a rest on a makeshift bed on the ground. Kassandra brought a finger to her lips to tell Lara to be silent then signaled her to go right so they could surround him.
As soon as they were in position, Kassandra slapped the sleeping man on the face, swiftly bringing her spear to his throat and using her other hand to cover his mouth. "Chaire, stranger." She smirked.
The captain tried to move, his shouts muffled by the mercenary's hand. Lara quickly pinned him down. "We have some questions, just nod yes or no."
The man once again struggled to get free until Kassandra punched him hard, pressing her spear harder against his throat. "Do you know me?" The captain nodded. "Then you know I'm not someone you should start trouble with." The man nodded once more. "Good, so you're going to answer her questions because if I have to do the questioning, I won't be so patient."
"Do you know who I am?" Lara inquired. The captain bowed his head as a yes. "Are you trying to kill us?" When the man wordlessly replied yes again, she frowned. "But why?"
The man tried to speak, mumbling things under Kassandra's hand. The mercenary sighed, looking at Lara. "This is not a yes or no question."
"We need more than a yes right now." The archaeologist pointed out.
Kassandra focused back on the follower of Ares. "I'm going to remove my hand but I'd advise you against screaming, we killed all your men so no one will help you. Just tell us what you know." She slowly lifted her hand but as she expected him to do, the man shouted out for help. She stabbed her spear into his thigh. "I warned you."
The captain cried in pain. "She killed one of our friends."
"If it's about revenge, why do you want to tell the cult about them?" The Spartan woman questioned, her spear still in his thigh.
"By Ares, it hurts." He felt more pressure on his wound and rushed to say. "Because the cult wants you dead and anyone who's helping you should die too."
"Did you say anything to the cult yet?" Lara pressed, wanting to know if they were too late or not.
"Not yet, we were supposed to report in a couple of days."
"Anything else we should know?" Kassandra removed her spear, ignoring the man's pain.
"They are going to kill you all." The captain declared.
"By Zeus, can't you say anything else," The misthios rolled her eyes. "It's tiresome and I always end up killing you." She approached her spear to his throat. "Say hi to Hades for me." She said before cutting his throat open.
Lara let go of her hold on the dead man and leaned away, still no used to Kassandra's way of getting rid of people. She stood up, dusting her knees. "So we are safe from the cult then."
"At least, for now." Kassandra stood up too and started walking toward the exit of the cave when a man called for their attention.
"Hey, what are you doing here?" The guard raised his bow.
Lara reached for hers and aimed at him but before she could shoot her arrow, Kassandra pushed her out of the way.
The mercenary surged toward the guard, plunging her spear into his heart. She made sure he was dead before rushing back to Lara who was kneeling on the ground. She broke the arrow that was lodged in the crate close to the archaeologist's face before offering her hand to help the woman rise. She frowned when Lara pushed her hand away. "What is your problem?"
"I don't need your help, I'm quite capable on my own." The Englishwoman stated coldly as she stood up.
Kassandra's frown deepened. "I've never doubted that but he was aiming at you."
"I had enough time to take him down." Lara grabbed her bow from the ground and started walking away.
"I might be from Sparta but I have learned that there is no shame in getting help sometimes." The misthios followed the other woman.
"Well, it was not one of those time." The archaeologist quickened her pace, as if she couldn't wait to get out of the cave.
"I am not your enemy," Kassandra reminded her, trying to stay calm. "I do not wish to fight with you."
Lara abruptly stopped walking and spun around angrily. "Then stay away from my wife!" She snapped.
The Spartan woman opened, then closed her mouth, surprised by the outburst. "Is this what this is about?" Finally realizing why Lara had been so cold, she exhaled. "I might be a misthios but I have honor and principles. You are married, I would never try to break a sacred union." She locked eyes with Lara. "You know, you doubting her says more about yourself than me…"
"I'm not doubting her!" Lara's voice rose before dropping. "I... I'm doubting myself..." She sighed.
"What do you mean?" Kassandra asked, confused.
Lara ran her fingers through her ponytail. "A part of me thinks, even after all these years, that Sam deserves better than me, better than the life we live, someone who isn't haunted or always surrounded by danger." She confessed. "I'm scared that one day, she's going to wake up and decide that she's done with me and my crazy adventures and just leave…"
The mercenary looked at her incredulously. "And you think leaving you to spend a life with a mercenary with a tragic past, in a Greece torn by war would be better?"
"I... well… no." The Englishwoman admitted, sheepishly. "No offense."
Kassandra chuckled. "None taken."
"I haven't thought this through, I must sound ridiculous." Lara laughed lightly, embarrassed by her outburst. "I've never really been jealous before, I don't know why I'm acting like that."
"You love her." The misthios softened. "And she loves you too."
"I know, but you are…" Lara motioned at Kassandra's body. "Some kind of goddess, I wouldn't blame her."
"You are far from ugly." Kassandra smiled.
"Thank you?" The archaeologist answered, unsure how to take the woman's comment.
"Compliment aside," Kassandra continued. "She talks about you as if the gods themselves sent you to her. She praises you, as a great warrior, as a loving spouse, a loyal friend. You shouldn't worry, your love is beautiful and from what I've gathered, she has her demons too, it doesn't mean you can't love each other."
"I didn't know you were so wise." Lara joked, finally relaxing as the tension between them died.
"Sometimes…" The Spartan woman joked back.
"Thank you for protecting me and… I'm sorry." Lara said honestly. "For acting like a petulant child and snapping at you. I think we are very much alike and it wasn't fair of me to take my insecurities on you."
"I can understand." Kassandra started walking slowly toward the exit. "I have someone special too, she… we both have obligations, it's complicated..."
"Odessa?"
"No, she is pleasant but…" The mercenary hesitated, pondering if she should say more then decided to do so since Lara had been honest with her. "It just gets lonely sometimes, and I'm only human, no matter what the rumors say."
"What about Daphnae?"
"If things had been different, I think, maybe we could have… but no… It's someone else. I helped her with a rebellion but once it was all over, we had to part ways. I had to continue my journey and she had to rebuild the town…"
"Sam taught me that we all deserve to love and be loved, no matter how complicated our life is. It won't fix your life but it soothes the pain to have someone to lean on…" The Englishwoman encouraged. "Perhaps, when the time is right, you can find each other again."
"Maybe…" Kassandra acknowledged Lara's wise words with a jerky nod before changing the subject. "Sam is a lovely woman, she is funny and delightful, you are fortunate to have her. I can talk to a lot of people but, real, trustworthy friends are hard to find. Your wife makes it easy to talk to her so it's nice to have her around. I don't want anything more."
"I know…" Lara paused, thinking for a moment before saying. "Let's start over," She stopped walking and offered her hand. "I'm Lara, I'd be happy to be your friend."
Kassandra smiled and gave her a forearm shake. "I'm Kassandra and it would be an honor to be your friend, bow warrior."