Chapter 3: Official friends and alarming news
Notes: I am sorry I didn't upload yesterday, I had exams these days. I promise the story will not go on day by day all the time. It's like this at some chapters especially these first ones that were also kind of an introduction to the story, to the characters' feelings, their past etc. I hope you like it and soon there will be more adventure, in a way.
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Kassandra is tucked into the fur on the floor almost next to the wooden bed where Brasidas is. It's been years since the last time she felt so infatuated but then she was only sixteen, still so immature, thirsty for life and hopeless to feel loved. She never again felt loved after that fateful day at the mountain and sometimes she doubts she was loved even then as a child; an absence that cuts deep like a knife stabbed in her heart.
Brasidas has not only captured her heart but also, he is an awfully painful reminder of the man she loves deep inside although she wishes she was able to hate him. The fact that the room is completely dark and she cannot see anything is at her advantage, she will sleep easier. Still, she can sense him there and his presence is the reason she will sleep with her armor on tonight; something she rarely does.
She couldn't possibly change in the same room with him, maybe if her inner chiton was intact, she would. This moment she didn't feel comfortable taking off the breastplate neither the pteruges and bring back to his mind the vulnerable moment at the cave when she ripped part of her chiton. He was in a daze not fully having his senses but he might notice it now and recall it.
For him it's worse. He can smell her scent, a mixture of flowers, lavender, jasmine and roses. Especially at the pillow he can clearly distinguish the aroma of roses from her hair. An image forms in his mind, her face with her eyes glistening, full lips with the edges pointed upwards and a small scar at her upper lip. He has never felt this way for any woman before. Not even for his deceased wife after their first dead child. Well, that was a lot different. His marriage was arranged and he obeyed marrying at his twenties for Sparta although unfortunately none of his kids survived.
In time he cared for his wife and he was always faithful, kind and supportive but he had never felt this strange feeling of desire and this kind of affection. This night won't be easy for him but thankfully, his weariness takes over and he falls asleep.
When Kassandra opens her eyes in the morning, she feels pain caused by the armor she wears all night until now. She turns her head and finds the bed empty. She stands up and goes up at the deck. Brasidas has already woke up and it seems that the pain doesn't stop him from his morning gymnastics.
"What are you doing? The stiches will open!" She breathed with eyes wide open in shock.
"Good morning to you, too. Sleepyhead." He chuckles.
She crosses her hands at her chest and looks at him through narrow eyes.
Barnabas approaches her with a half-smile. "Good morning, Kassandra." Says the old sailor.
She turns to face him. "If his gashes open again you are going to stich them."
Brasidas chuckles. "They won't. I am not pushing my muscles too far. I just move enough to help my body heal sooner."
"Plus, I don't remember you staying in bed to heal after you are harmed." Barnabas adds to his defense.
She pauses for a moment to think what she just did. In front of everyone she showed that she cared and was concerned for a man. She does her utmost to find a way to cover the overprotected stance she posed. "When I do, I come up walking on my own, not ready to give away my last breath." She fires back turning her back at them and leaving the ship.
She goes to visit Anthousa.
Anthousa anticipated Kassandra's visit and after welcoming her she commands her hetaerae to leave them alone to discuss. She reveals to Kassandra that Myrrine had come to Korinth having nothing and in a bad emotional condition but within some months, she accomplished to win a ship at a bet. The ship was called the "Siren song" and from some sailors that anchor at the harbor of Korinth frequently and always pay a visit to Anthousa she gathered that this was a pirate ship and it has not been active lately. The captain of the Siren song was called Phoenix and the past years they sailed the Aegean Sea around the Cyclades.
Kassandra hoped for more but undoubtedly this piece of information is a good start. She thanks Anthousa and goes to the blacksmith on the way back to Adrestia. Just as she is about to return to the ship, a messenger comes seeking for her. He has a letter from her friend Socrates that is asking for her help and informs her that Athens suffer from plague.
She rushes to Barnabas and orders for the crew to be ready to depart in two days for Athens. The men all look at her horrified as the sailors obey the orders hoping that Barnabas will make her change her mind. Brasidas speaks first.
"Athens is under siege. You are going straight into a battlefield."
"I will get there on horse. All I need is Adrestia close to the land to continue to the Aegean right after." She explains determinatively. Barnabas can see that she is troubled and as always, he doesn't hesitate to ask her why.
Her eyes filled with dread and at the point of tears as she thinks about Phoibe.
"Athens. There is. Plague." she exhales irregularly. Barnabas and Brasidas both shocked that she is willing to go and risk getting infected they look at her with even more dread and questions than before. "I have friends there. They need my help." She explains further and hands Socrates's letter to Barnabas.
Although Brasidas is displeased she has Athenian friends, he admires her loyalty to them at this difficult moment. After a while, she retells the information Anthousa gave her with no hint of hope or joy in her voice and eyes as these are overshadowed by the danger her friends in Athens are facing.
The day passes quietly with the crew making preparations, Kassandra being occupied in her thoughts and sadness while Brasidas and Barnabas give her some space and time to proceed. Brasidas is going at the Spartan camp outside the city tomorrow until he heals so that he won't completely blow up his cover as a spy to the Korinthians.
Barnabas approaches Brasidas. "I am happy Kassandra and I now have a Spartan friend as well. She especially needed one. She might have grown up away from Lakonia but still her attitude and habits resemble yours."
"Once a Spartan, always a Spartan." Brasidas states simply.
Barnabas chuckles at the soldier's laconic answer. "Well, then if Kassandra is in trouble, I will contact you to help her out of any Spartan fortress prison, she is your compatriot after all as you said it yourself." The co-captain asserted.
"I would, but she won't need it." He admitted confidently.
Barnabas pats him on the shoulder. "Thank you, my friend. We are at your disposal any time as well."
Brasidas grabs the old man's forearm in a friendly gesture.
The sun has just set and Kassandra stands at the prow facing the sea with a mug in her right hand. She has been drinking wine all afternoon. Brasidas approaches limping slightly and stands beside her.
"If you want to make it to your friends, you might need to stop drinking and eat something." He advises softly observing her face.
"I am not hungry. I'm just fine with wine." She states with her gaze still on the waves.
"You fumed at my supposed recklessness in the morning do I not have this privilege as well?" He teases her lightly to switch little by little her mood.
"Fine. You can bring me a fruit to eat, if you can guess which one I prefer most." She challenges him. He doesn't need much time to think, he is good at observation.
"The pomegranate." He notes with a light smirk.
"How did you know?" She gapes in surprise.
"There is evidence at your cabin Captain." He states simply not giving away his skills and goes to retrieve a fruit.
Shortly he is back with two apples chuckling a bit. He throws one at Kassandra and she catches it. He chuckles louder.
"Now which one of us tricked the other? Me or you?"
"What are you talking about?" She asked confused.
"Don't act like you don't know what a man throwing an apple to a female means in Sparta." He raises an eyebrow and adds. "You framed me, I wanted you to eat and you only had apples left in the sack." He chuckles again. Kassandra freezes at the spot as she recalls the stories her grandmother used to tell her.
She was taught to be cautious especially as an Agiad, even as a child she was supposed to never take an apple offered to her from a male. It was intended as a wedding proposal and accepting the apple indicated the agreement and promise to marry. Of course, as kids especially it could happen without any intension but nevertheless, she had to avoid it just in case.
After all these years away from her homeland and her life as a misthios, she fails to be conscious about such things anymore. She exhales and cold sweat runs down her body.
"You know I live away from Sparta and its customs many years, right?"
He wears a serious expression and answers. "I am a traditional man I can't overlook this."
Her heart skips a beat. Although deeply inside she wants to have a normal life, maybe marry him and have kids, she can't. At least not soon, she has to eliminate the cult and all of those who threaten her family.
Before she can think of something to respond his façade falls and he laughs. "I am joking."
She releases a breath she didn't know she was holding. "You had me there." She admits giving him a small smile and drowning to her worries again watching the waves.
"So, did you find anything useful at the papyruses you took from the Monger?" He asks in hopes to keep the conversation active and distract her from her troubles.
"Some clues, yes about other two cultists, but they are not enough. I have written them down to search later." She notes, her gaze still at the sea.
"I can help you whenever you need." He offers warmly.
"Thank you." She replies in a soft voice.
"Kassandra?" He looks her in the eyes, his nervousness betrayed by his fumbling fingers. He isn't sure if he should ask neither if he really wants to know nor if she will be honest.
"Hmm" She meets his gaze.
"I want to ask you something." He pauses.
"Go ahead." She encourages him even though uneasiness started to grow inside her.
"I want the truth." He decides to voice even though he is well aware that she can lie like she did when they met.
"I- … Umm… Ok." She utters with a serious face.
"Did you kill Nikolaos in Megaris?" His voice low but stable. His eyes searching hers.
"No." Her answer was immediate. Her voice louder than she intended. "I spoke with him after the battle. He didn't know it was me that they paid to fight with them. I was angry, I almost threw him of the cliff when…-" She stops abruptly. Her breath heavier than before. It was his words that fueled her furry further. He didn't seem to have regretted his actions. "But I let him go. He left on his own." She finishes.
Brasidas studies her eyes and her reactions this whole time. He nods believing her. The admission of nearly killing her father was sufficient proof of her genuine words.
"What made you suspicious?" She asks him.
"Your helmet was his. I recognized it immediately." He reveals.
"I suppose there is only one among the Spartan with a wolf at the crest." She laughs as she never gave it a thought until now.
"Yes, but I could tell it was his even if it was less unique. I told you, he was my tutor the last years at the agoge and then my General."
Brasidas was Nikolaos's protégé after he finished his basic training. The General was the one who saw the skills, capabilities and prospect for the young hoplite to have a military career and insisted he was trained further to become a Commander. Nikolaos was strict but amiable to him and Brasidas did his best to fulfil his tutor's expectations. As a boy he always looked up to him; he still respects him greatly.
"Would you report me for killing him to your kings if I had?" She dares him confidently. Her chin high.
He shakes his head. "No, though I would feel distress maybe a bit angry. The moment you disclosed who you are I knew it wasn't my business."
She raises an eyebrow. "Though, you tried to fish information from me, if I recall."
"I did and still trusted you enough with my life." He smiles at her and she smiles back.
The next hours pass with them holding interesting and unreserved conversation until it's high time they go to rest.
Presently they lie each at their own bed in the cabin they share, but Kassandra turns around at her bed constantly and sighs lightly. Brasidas wants to help her and create a bond between them.
"You are downcast again, if you want you can talk to me. It will help you feel better."
She sighs again more loudly this time. "I am sorry, I didn't want to bother you. I will go out so you can rest." She sits up on her furred bed and so does he.
"I don't want to sleep either. You can tell me what's tormenting you."
She lets a ragged breath. "I am afraid for a friend I knew since living in Kephallonia, Phoibe. She doesn't have a family; she is just Aspasia's errand girl but she is very young and she may be in danger."
He reaches in the dark for her hand and takes it in his. "Surely, Aspasia won't put her in danger. She will be fine."
"You don't know that! She is just a child with no family. From my experience no one will care!" She hisses.
He stays silent, he knows very well how hard life is and how harsh and selfish most people can be. He rubs her knuckles with his thump.
"I am sorry." She regrets she burst out. He completely condones her reaction; he is well aware she is valid. Instead, he doesn't say it aloud, he craves to ease her mind and troubles.
"There is no need to be. How can I help?"
She squeezes his hand for his thoughtfulness. "I appreciate your offer, but you can't. Maybe no one can and that is what worries me."
He embraces her with his right hand while his left one still holds hers. She leans on him burying her head in his chest, silent tears roll down her eyes. She is angry with herself right now that she is so vulnerable especially to him but she hasn't the ability to hold herself. She is frustrated with life; she has to be strong and fearless and cold hearted and life is so hard on her and her loved ones.
Moreover, those close to her are hunted to death because by hurting them the cult hurts her and these stupid cultists are everywhere, they might now about Phoibe, too. She has to choose between trying to protect them but risking their lives at the same time or letting them be and never see them until at least the last cultist is down. Neither of her options is guaranty.
Brasidas holds her close to him silently hoping both that it is comforting her and that it gives her the sensation he will be there for her. Holding her so close in the dark and drawing in the scent of roses from her hair evokes the urge to kiss her. He won't do it; he would never take advantage of her in a moment of weakness. He knows well how to restrain himself.
When she starts to tremble, he lets her hand and hugs her entangling her completely in his arms stroking her hair. She melts in his touch immediately. His scent is comforting and delicate, a mixture of lilies and faint sweet sweat. He just holds her there until she sheds the last tear. When she is finally calm once again, he whispers smoothly a melody his mother used to sing to him when he was young and lulls her to sleep in his arms.
It's the first time she feels protected and cared. Before Hypnos overtakes her, she forces one last thought in her mind. She won't do this again, ever. No matter how natural she feels in his arms. Not another time she will have her inner weaknesses exposed to someone.
When he is certain she is asleep, he gently lays her down to her bed and covers her. He stays there slightly above her for a few seconds watching her sleeping peacefully but hardly able to take in her features in the almost not exciting light. He puts a light kiss on her forehead and goes back to his bed.
The next day she woke up in her bed feeling ashamed but Brasidas assured her that for him she is a dear friend and he is more than willing to provide her assistance whenever she needs it.
They bid farewell and they part ways. Kassandra rides Phobos with Ikaros vigilant eyes scanning around the areas they travel while Brasidas heals at the Spartan camp sending reports to the kings before he recovers to return to his spying post.
Her mind during the ride often slipped to Brasidas and it was like an oasis in the desert averting her attention off her other friends that where in need and there were possibilities that they were no longer well or alive all or some of them.
Kassandra spends two days on the road before reaching Athens. Right out of the city walls and her fears are fueled by the smoke that rises from within the city. It could be spotted the previous day as well from miles away but she was hoping it came from the military camps.
The city is nothing like it used to be. A shadow of its previous glory. There is fire and ashes everywhere making the sky grey. It reminds Kassandra of the neighbor village of Khausos in Kephallonia, a really disturbing memory. She bumps into Hippocrates at the street, where he is trying to burn all the dead so that the disease will not spread further.
"Kassandra, thank the Gods. I need your help, please. The followers of Ares and some of the deceased relatives disagree at the burning but it is necessary to avoid spreading the illness." He pleads desperately.
Kassandra nods in agreement unable to talk; she has not yet absorbed fully the fact that this was the jewel of the Greek world. She picks up a torch lighting it on fire from Hippocrates' and helps him while some men start attacking and she fights them off.
The streets are complete madness, sick people everywhere suffering, dead bodies, the smoke, the ashes, charred corpses, cries of pain and despair fill her ears while a disgusting frowsty smell of burned flesh fill her nostrils.
Burning the dead turns out to be no easy task. There are corpses all over Athens, some people that defy, yell and even attack her and in whole a dark veil covers the town making everything gruesome and intolerably sorrowful.
The misthios is ramming through the streets, some people on her tail. Just as she thinks she set fire on the last mass of corpses she throws the torch she is holding to the mud and runs through the smallest backstreets taking continuously turns.
She finds the perfect moment after she turned left to an alley to climb up at a house and abscond to the roof, lying down to be out of sight of the mob that formed to chase her. Feet thuds echo in the evening air and voices are heard cursing her and wondering aloud where to search and they fade as they agree to split up to smaller groups. She stays hidden for a while before moving cautiously from roof to roof and then coming down to the streets to make her way to the leader house.
This time she is unwelcomed to the town more than ever before in comparison with every other place. Almost every soldier that she comes across with is hostile. She also spotted many cultist guards around; thankfully they didn't due to her quick reactions as well as the benefit of the heavy smoke that makes the few light even dimmer in the evening sky.
On her way she overhears some citizens discussing. "Perikles brought us this demise that's why the fates send it to his house as well." An old man said while another agreed.
"It's only fair he pays for his sins and for taking us all down."
Kassandra's heart skips a beat before it begins to beat again fast and uncontrollably. The house where Phoibe lives is stricken by the plague.
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Notes: What do you think this far? Let me know with a review. Thank you all.
Thank you for your reviews! Erik8, dziubasinsky, KAlexioS and guests. You give me courage, making me happy to see that there are people out there who liked it.