*Disclaimer: I do not own any of the characters or themes from the Assassins Creed franchise. Dialogue from the game is used in this story and has been altered and modified*
The salted air was a refreshing reminder of the morning to come. The journey to Mykonos had not been as easy, and while the island was just meters away, Alera's journey would be far from over. She had been sailing with Kassandra and her crew for some time now and each day seemed to bring new adventure and new predicaments. It was agreed that in exchange for her services, Kassandra would take Alera with her to the Delos islands and from there they would part ways. But neither of them knew the impact that they would have on each other, or how their stories would become hopelessly entwined.
Alera stood at the edge of the Adrestia and gazed off towards the island. She closed her eyes as the morning breeze pulled at her light brown hair. It had been so long since she had seen the likes of her crew and her beloved Eros. A look of worry crept across her face, What will I say to them? she thought.
"Is everything alight Alera? I thought you would be happy to finally reach the island." Kassandra slowly approached the side of the ship, not wanting to disturb her companion.
Alera kept her blue eyes fixed on the approaching docks. "I am grateful for your hospitality Kassandra." She turned to face the mercenary, "I dread that this might be the last time I can except it."
Kassandra crossed her arms, shaking her head as she spoke. "It doesn't have to be," she said as she turned back towards the approaching docks, "Rebellions can last a long time, who's to say we won't run into each other before it's done " Kassandra glanced over at Alera, who bore a hesitant smile.
"The Silver Islands can be a strange place!" came a booming voice from across the ship. "You never know what you might find on these Islands!" Barnabas's voice grew louder as he approached.
The two mercenaries turned around to face the old man, fighting to contain their laughter. It wasn't often that people in their position could find time for such beautiful moments of peace, so when they did it was something to be treasured.
"I might miss you the most, Old Man. I haven't laughed this much since I was with my crew back in Sparta!" Alera put her hand on the man's shoulder, giggling as she spoke. This was the first time since meeting Kassandra and her crew that she had let details of her life slip in conversation, something that didn't seem to have any effect on Barnabas.
"May the gods guide you in your adventures Alera, and remember, you always have a home on the Adrestia." Barnabas reached out to offer a farewell handshake but was pleasantly surprised when Alera responded with a strong bear hug.
Kassandra took a step back, a disturbing look crossed her face as she watched Alera pull away from Barnabas, and move swiftly towards the edge of the ship. In the past months that they had known each other, Alera never mentioned a ship, let alone where she was from or where she had been. Kassandra uncrossed her arms and followed Alera to the dock, frustrated and curious as to why she had kept secrets from her.
"You didn't tell me you had a ship," Kassandra put her hand on Alera's shoulder, causing her to turn around. "What other secrets are you keeping from me?"
As Alera turned around she felt a sharp pain in her chest. It was as if the gods themselves were stopping her from telling Kassandra what she wanted to know.
"We all have our secrets, Kassandra." Alera whispered, "You of all people should understand that." When she finished speaking, Alera placed her hands on Kassandra's shoulders and pulled her into a tight embrace.
Kassandra wrapped her arms around the woman's waist, her hands gliding over the fabric of Alera's white dress. "Where will you go?" she asked in a hushed voice.
Alera pulled away and looked off towards the far side of the island. "My crew should be waiting for me near the northwestern coast of the island, so that's where I'm headed."
"Well..' Kassandra began with a smile, "The note we received from the rebels mentions a camp off the northwestern coast…"
"Does it?" Alera questioned as she spun around, "Are you suggesting we travel together misthios? Or do you just want some alone time with me?" Alera laughed as she watched Kassandra's face turn a bright shade of pink. She would never admit it, but Alera knew that she wouldn't refuse a chance to see what the legendary Eagle-bearer was made of, especially after the stories she's heard.
"It was worth a shot," Kassandra chuckled as she shrugged her armored shoulders. "Just don't get into any trouble while your gone, you aren't exactly dressed for battle." She shook your finger at Alera as if scolding her for being improperly dressed.
Alera looked down at her Grecian style dress. Her simple, yet elegant attire was necessary to blend in with those around her. It's true, you wouldn't expect a Misthios to wear such a thing, but Alera did not come to Mykonos to be a misthios. She reached back and pulled a thick white hood over her head, concealing her face in a light shadow. She looked back at Kassandra for the last time and smiled.
"If you find time during this rebellion, look for a ship by the name of Spyro, there we may share our secrets." Crossing one arm over her chest, Alera bent her head in a slight bow, "Chaire, Eagle-bearer." she said, before walking off towards the city.
"Chaire," Kassandra mumbled, giving the same salute back to Alera. She shook her head with an audible sigh, she had a job to do and letting her emotions get in the way would only cloud her judgment.
"Barnabas!" she called, staring off after Alera.
"Gods forbid we enjoy a single moment on these beaches!" Barnabas trotted to Kassandra's side a rolled-up parchment in his hand.
"Read me that note again," she asked softly.
Barnabas looked at his commander with his only good eye and saw the distracted look on her face. He was always such an optimistic man and knew better than to dwell over happenings, as he believed that they were all signs from the gods. He could have questioned Kassandra about her exchange with Alera, but instead, he read her the note just as she asked.
"Eagle-bearing misthios," he started, then gave Kassandra a quick smile, "That's you!"
The misthios rolled her eyes and waited for him to continue, but she couldn't help but smile at his playful gesture.
"Podarkes, the cruel leader of Delos islands, take money from our pockets and food from our mouths, all to feed his insate… insati.." Barnabas struggled to continue.
"Insatiable," Kassandra said sweetly.
"Yes!" Barnabas continued, "His insatiable thirst for power."
Kassandra's eyes grew wide at the sudden realization that she was dealing with something much more than just a rebellion. Podarkes wasn't just a power-hungry leader, but a blood-thirsty member of the Cult of Kosmos.
"He's one of them, Barnabas, the ones hunting my family." Kasandra took a step forward, shaking her head in disbelief, "keep reading." she ordered, looking towards what she thought to be the leader's house.
"We are a modest but fierce group of rebels, who will pay you handsomely to help us overthrow our vile oppressor. I pray the wind guides you swiftly to our shores, misthios. Our people are dying. Signed, Kira" Barnabas rolled up the note and watched as Kassandra paced back and forth.
"Does the note say where exactly Kira is?" Kassandra stopped and turned to face Barnabas, eagerly waiting for his response, but disappointed once she heard it.
"Not exactly" Barnabas stated, "There are two locations marked, the camp near the beach, and a hideout that looks like it's underneath the city." He handed the note to Kassandra, so she could look at it herself, but she refused it.
"We came here for a job," Kassandra said sharply, "I should start looking for this, Kyra" She gave Barnabas a quick nod before walking towards the city, But something Alera mentioned caused her to stop. "If anyone would know about a ship it would be Barnabas," Kassandra thought.
The mercenary jogged the short distance back to her ship, nearly knocking into a few fishermen along the way. "Barnabas!" She called, getting the attention of everyone on deck.
The old man stopped just as he was about to step onboard. He turned around and greeted his commander with a large smile, almost like he had sensed the opportunity to tell a story.
"Have you heard of a ship called The Spyro?" Kassandra waited with bated breath from him to answer.
"The Spyro?" Barnaba repeated, scratching his beard, "Oh yes! How could I forget!" He yelled, dramatically waving his arms, "That ship is legendary, one of the fastest and most agile ships ever built! I have only seen it once before, but then…" he clapped his hands together, "it was gone. That is how it got its name you know?" he continued proudly.
"It got its name by vanishing?" Kassandra questioned, cutting off the story.
"Yes!" Barnabas shouted, "Those who know of it, call it the Spirit of the Sea because you never really know if it's there, or it's just your imagination."
Barnabas was known for his outlandish stories and tails of the gods, so it was hard to know if he spoke the truth about Alera's ship or just a fabricated Fisherman's tail. Kassandra stood and pondered the thought of it, a ship that could disappear? That couldn't be possible, but that doesn't mean the ship doesn't exist.
"Thank you, Barnabas." She said softly.
Kassandra began walking back towards the city, she knew that she had decisions to make. She could go after Podarkes now, or she could seek out the rebel leader, Kyra, and help her fight her rebellion. Both choices would eventually lead to the demise of the Delos leader and the fall of another cultist, but it would just be a matter of when.
Then there was Alera. There's so much about the mysterious misthios that didn't make sense, and for some reason, Kassandra felt as though the offer to exchange secrets was more than just a suggestion, but a request.