Chapter 8: Back to Sparta

Notes: Excuse me for the huge delay of this chapter! I had a lot of work and reading for the exams. I know I deserve at least a Spartan kick, but I'll try to update as soon as possible. Thank you for your patience and support. I hope you enjoy this chapter!

xxx

Myrrine and Kassandra stand to the front yard of their old house. So, many emotions and memories flood them both. They look around with wet eyes. Kass that followed them runs to the bushes hiding to be out of the many strangers' sight that pass them by on their way to their residences.

The house is one of the oldest houses in Sparta being one of the first you come across at the habitable area. It is facing the edge of the small hill where it is built on. There are a few trees at the right corner of the front yard where Kassandra spent her days training. A weapon case adorns the space in front of the trees, a stone bench is behind the old wooden fence that is at the verge of being tumbledown near the edge of the hill, some amphorae and a hamper, made of reed, by the door.

There is no other residence at the right side of the house only behind it and higher up the hill and across the road at its left as you face it.

"I can't believe I am standing here again." Kassandra whispers.

"Do you remember that you spent all day here training since morning alone and when your pater came from the agogy you trained together?" Myrrine asks with a faint smile recalling the beautiful moments.

"Yes, he was hard to please." Kassandra sighs lightly finding the fact bittersweet.

"He was very proud of you Kassandra. Every night he was thanking in his prayers the Gods that gifted him such a capable child. You were his supreme pride, he always hided it from you in order to push you forward more." Myrrine admits.

"And I have to thank him for that because I wouldn't be who I am now without his training." She confesses being well aware that she may have ended up really bad if she wasn't skilled with the weapons to become a misthios.

She wanted to add though that he didn't hesitate to throw away his gift, literally, but she restrained herself to hold her tongue and not upset her mother. Myrrine was also pained of what Nikolaos did and that's why she left him.

"It looks as if it was yesterday that we were living here." Myrrine voices her inner thoughts.

"I wish we could be all here together again." Kassandra exhales her eyes glassy lost to envisioning old memories.

"Would you forgive your pater and live here with us and Alexios, hopefully?" Myrrine questions her daughter with hope.

"I am not sure mater, but I would like to try." Kassandra admits smiling looking her mother straight in the eyes. Myrrine smiles back pleased with her daughter's answer.

Kassandra admires her mother's love for her father, it looks as if she has almost forgiven him. She understands that her mother has been devastated by her father's choices and actions to leave him. She wouldn't judge her, if she wasn't willing to see him ever again.

Myrrine after a few moments of thinking breaks the silence. "I could never imagine that I would be strong enough to be here again. I thought I lost you forever, yet you are alive." She pauses and inhales. "Hope dies last."

"Kassandra, Myrrine, you are here. Welcome." A deep familiar voice startles them both. A wide smile on the man's face.

"Brasidas." Kassandra spoke in a cold manner. "Are you still spying on me?" She teases him though a part of her believes every word that left her lips. He furrows his eyebrows; his lips press together hard looking thinner than before.

"Brasidas, you are a grown man, you look well." Myrrine intervenes to catch Brasidas' attention so that he and Kassandra won't start any argument on plain sight.

"Myrrine, you are alive and well. I am so glad to see you." He grins looking at her and turns to face Kassandra still smiling warmly as he finishes the sentence.

"It's good to see you, too." Myrrine answers before Kassandra can say anything again.

"So, you intend on returning back?" Brasidas asks with eyes full of hope that linger a little longer on Kassandra than her mother when he looks back and forth to them.

He perceives that Myrrine has knowledge of the issues between him and Kassandra judging by her stance. He wants to sort out their differences. He is determined to stay by her side once again to show her his good intentions before he demands honest answers. The extra time he hopes they will have together will help him comprehend her character better.

"Yes, and we want our house back." Kassandra confirms looking him straight in the eyes as if to challenge him.

"After Nikolaos' disappearance his adopted son is supposed to claim it from the state, but he is still commanding Sparta's forces on the battlefield." Brasidas informs them doing his best to take in both women's expressions. Kassandra looks annoyed while Myrrine's face is unreadable; she was well trained as an Agiad.

"Stentor is supposed to be the rightful owner? I should at least punch him in the face at Megaris!" Kassandra moans irritated throwing her hands in the air.

"We have to gain our citizenship back to claim it." Myrrine declared with her chin held high.

"I doubt King Archidamos has forgotten your departure." Brasidas reminds Myrrine in a neutral tone.

"He can't be still mad for a broken nose." Myrrine huffs with displease.

"You what?" Kassandra looks at her mother with open mouth, shocked at first and bursts out into laughter soon afterwards. "And you lecture me?" Kassandra ponders in between laughs.

"Kassandra…" Myrrine frowns at her daughter having a scolding look.

Kass who was hiding all this time, relaxed upon seeing Kassandra laughing carefree, jumped out of the bushes behind her to hop into her arms. When Brasidas spotted the lynx behind Kassandra running towards her direction, he thought that it would attack her. He unsheathed his sword and advanced saying. "Watch out."

Kassandra reached for her spear and in a flash of lightning she was in a protective stance away from Brasidas facing to the direction his gaze was upon. Kass became aggressive upon seeing the sword and was about to charge him.

Myrrine who spotted the lynx early moved forward and grabbed Brasidas arm in an attempt to prevent the beast from attacking him by calming him to take away his weapon. "The lynx is with us." Myrrine informed him.

Kassandra was almost too late to understand what happened as the lynx was about to attack Brasidas. "Kass! Calm down, he is a friend, don't harm him." She authorized clapping her hands twice to sign to the lynx to come to her.

Kass retrieved hissing to Brasidas and walked to Kassandra's arms. He was wide eyed upon seeing this creature obeying her. The lynx licks Kassandra's left hand and she pets it with the other rubbing its ears.

Myrrine turns to face Brasidas whose eyes are still wide and his mouth hangs slightly open. "I know it's weird, this beast almost scares me, but it is part of the family now. So, what were you saying?" Myrrine brings back the conversation. He composes himself clearing his throat.

"Well, King Archidamos hasn't forgotten so I would suggest you to do something to get on his good side." Brasidas continues crossing his arms over his chest and lifting his right hand to touch his chin.

"Like what?" Kassandra inquires tilting her head slightly.

"There is a troubling Spartan commander who gives weapons to helots and trains them. If you deal with him, you will earn King Archidamos' gratitude." He explains putting his hands behind his back and gazing mostly at Kassandra.

"Sounds like a trap to me." She accuses stepping closer to him, her chin high, her hands folded over her chest.

"Kassandra, please, not again. Will you believe me, if I come along?" Brasidas asks with pleading eyes letting his hands drop at his sides.

It hurts him that she is suspicious of his every move, it infuriates him further thinking to whatever length he is willing to go for her shake and she cannot see it. Sometimes it pushes him to the verge of giving up trying to persuade her and at some moments he wants to wrap her in his arms and kiss her baring all his feelings to this action.

"I will do it, but if you set me up, you'll regret it deeply." Kassandra threatens him refraining from answering.

"The sooner the better; we should clear some things up." Brasidas states with pursed brows. The muscles on his face stiff, his gaze to the ground after he briefly stared to Kassandra's eyes.

"Gladly, but we have to speak in a more private place." Kassandra asserted lowering her tone.

She is daring him. If she was alone with him and no one was around, she would jump on him pressing her hands to his throat threatening him to be honest with her. This insecurity drives her crazy. She provokes him to react that's why her words are accusing and her mannerism colder and distanced. She dreads incredibly his motives are impure.

"Come over to my house to solve this whenever you want." He urges hopeful to spend time with her again and puzzle out everything. His cheeks redden slightly as he shifts his gaze to Myrrine.

Myrrine hasn't spoken all this time studying them but it's high time she makes her presence noticeable. She fears that if she lets them alone, they might end up revealing their feelings for each other, Brasidas probably first. The warm lingering looks didn't go unnoticed, neither their expressions and stance of either of them for one another.

When Kassandra told Myrrine about what happened at the fort with Brasidas, although she didn't say anything that indicated she likes him, the way she worried and was afraid he was a traitor was alarming. Hearing a summary of their time in Korinth was enough proof for Myrrine that her daughter cared for him and now she was sure for both of them.

"How about now? To be done with this?" Myrrine suggests facing Brasidas waiting for his answer.

"Let's go." He announces putting his hands behind his back and walking to the road. The women, with Kass short on their tail, follow him through the streets till they reach a small house upper at the hill.

It isn't very far from their own house. It's about the same size as theirs but newer and with a smaller yard.

They get inside and he motions to the chairs of the dining table in the middle of the room for the women to sit down. "I can't let her alone out; she might attack someone." Kassandra's apologetic explanation for letting the lynx come with them earns a short chuckle from Brasidas.

"I am aware. I'm bringing wine." He chuckles again and goes through a wooden door to another room. He retrieves clean mugs from the kitchen along with an amphora with wine. He excuses himself once more to bring some food as well and Myrrine thanks him and offers her assistance.

They set on the table some cheese and dried figs to eat, while Kassandra waits impatiently tapping her fingers at the wooden surface of the table. Kass curls up at the floor behind her, closing her eyes to take a nap.

Kassandra rejects the wine gazing fiercely at Brasidas. "I want answers not food." Kassandra's demanding tone makes the room feel colder.

Myrrine intervenes, her eyes piercing her daughter's promising to reproach her later. "Kassandra! Brasidas forgive her-" Myrrine apologizes for her daughter's rude behavior.

He cuts her off politely shaking his head. "It's fine Myrrine. Kassandra is angry with me for some days, I am here to rejoin the allegations." He states confidently holding Kassandra's gaze.

"How can I trust you? How can you prove you are not a cultist or you don't take orders from one of them to kill me?" She challenges.

He exhales shaking his head. "If I wanted you dead for some reason, I would have made my move by now. At the warehouse, or at the cave! Even while you slept beside me." He regrets his last sentence when he considers that her mother is there and maybe she doesn't know what he really means.

He is unsure how to explain it and make things right. His brain usually functions perfect helping him find smart words and make the right decisions on the battlefield, but whenever Kassandra is around, he feels like his brain shuts down. Kassandra elaborates the variety of his options back then, ignoring the fact that her mother has tensed up.

"You trusted me when you had just met me and after we fought twice back to back, you treated my injuries, we shared your cabin, you told me about your Athenian friends, entrusted your worries about them and now you don-" He couldn't finish what he intended to say as Kassandra stood up immediately.

Kassandra thought about Phoibe as soon as he referred to her Athenian friends. In addition to recalling her moment of weakness she got angrier and sharp. "Enough! How do I know that you didn't kill me because you wanted to take the information about where my mater was first?" She questions.

Brasidas looks calm but inside his feelings are like a tremendous storm, a mixture of anger, sadness and disappointment. He breathes in slowly through his nose. "Anthousa was your informant. I could have asked her multiple times all those months I spent there, if that was my purpose." He exhales staring into her eyes.

Kassandra contemplates his words. He could indeed make a move to kill her either openly or assassinating her at night, but still she feels insecure about his intentions. She decides to press one last time. "Maybe she was not telling you."

"She is more than happy to exchange information for money." He remarks. "Even if she didn't tell me, you revealed the news about Myrrine before the last night we shared your cabin. I could stab you while you slept and vanish." He adds the fact to eliminate her doubts and remains silent and calm waiting.

Kassandra considers everything he said and did since they first met in the warehouse in Korinth. He was compassionate about the slaves that were trapped, he helped her without knowing her and trusted her about Nikolaos and with his life at the cave. She was so relaxed around him then, not even a moment of suspicion, no feeling of mistrust within only five minutes of conversation.

Myrrine is a spectator to the discussion so far. Seeing her daughter in deep thought and being more relaxed after Brasidas mentioned that he and Kassandra slept in the same room and probably not in the same bed she tries to assure her daughter taking his side. She mentions how loyal he was to Sparta and Nikolaos asserting that she was sure he wouldn't turn against his tutor; it wasn't his character.

Kassandra is already persuaded enough by his answers, the only thing that worries her is the possibility of her judgment being clouded by her feelings but her mother's affirmation was reassuring. She decides to give in both to the justification and her instinct and apologizes to him with excuses about wariness because the cult is everywhere. They reconciled readily as in fact they already acted friendly to each other except Kassandra's brusque manner.

Brasidas appreciates Kassandra's apology and her acknowledgement of his effort. He has his own questions for her actions and he will soon seek answers, of course, but he is eased now that they are back to amicable terms. His priority for now is to inform her about the Spartan traitor who trains helots so she can deal with this matter shortly to gain Archidamos' forgiveness.

He fills them in about the commander that causes trouble and advises Kassandra not to hurt the rest of the soldiers. She should search for clues and evidence that reveal the purpose of the commander to present it to the Kings and destroy the weapons of the helots.

She declines his previous offer to accompany her and decides to travel there tonight a few hours before dawn as it isn't very far. She doesn't want to waste time.

He offers her the mug of wine she rejected before and she takes it. "Now, my turn. Tell me what happened at Athens with Perikles." He takes a sip of his own wine. It is high time he asks. He has no patience left although it isn't obvious to neither of the women.

Kassandra swallows down the wine and refills it again and again drinking it in one sip without answering. He waits calmly examining her. Myrrine intervenes stopping her daughter from drinking the fourth mug of wine. "You have a mission in a few hours, my lamb. I'd rather you came back to me in one piece." She advises softly taking the amphora from Kassandra's hands and handing it over to Brasidas.

Myrrine comprehended in the few months she spent to Naxos with her daughter that Kassandra is not the person who follows orders. She is independent and does whatever she wants or what is necessary. She is affected by her friend's death and what happened in Athens, Myrrine is well aware of it and this is why she didn't chide her.

Kassandra sighs annoyed giving her mother a sideways glare and retrieves the amphora from Brasidas while murmuring that she can handle herself drinking a little more. He remains silent though his jaw is clenched because his patience is wearing thin. He wants answers this very moment.

Myrrine senses that her daughter has a heavy burden on her shoulders and doesn't want to speak in front of her for that specific subject; Alexios killed Perikles she had said in Naxos without another word. She decides to leave them alone for some moments saying she is going to take care of the horses as explanation.

Fortunately for Brasidas Kassandra begins to recite in brief about the incidents in Athens the moment Myrrine closes the front door. When she refers Phoibe's death, tears trail her cheeks. The flow of words doesn't cease and neither do the tears.

She hides Deimos true identity suppressing the fact that he is her brother. She didn't sob nor break down; she had promised herself she wouldn't be vulnerable to him again.

He believes her. He touched her hand with his when she said about Phoibe. For some reason he is more than sorry. It feels as if he can feel her pain. He had wished the girl would be alright.

Brasidas is relieved that she didn't betray her friends although a strong feeling of frustration explodes inside him. He hopes she will be more Spartan after she establishes here with her mother. Myrrine is a strong woman trained strictly and it is apparent that she corrects Kassandra at every opportunity.

He wouldn't dare to try or wish for Kassandra to change but his military training and the soldier he's been all these years scream in his mind that she shouldn't have friendly relations with Athenians.

Then he recalls that she is wanted in Athens as Kleon declared her Perikles' murderer. Brasidas mentions it to her and she fills twice the mug drinking it with one sip and swearing. She fumes up cursing Kleon and Brasidas can't help it but chuckle shortly at her intense reaction while at the same time being touched by a wave of satisfaction from her anger towards his enemy.

Just then a knock on the door is heard and he stands up to open to Myrrine who rushes to Kassandra to take away the wine the moment she witnesses her condition misjudging her nerves.

"Kassandra that's enough, you are drunk! Brasidas why didn't you stop her?" Myrrine growled while Kassandra continues cursing. "Behave Kassandra!" Her mother scolds with authority.

Brasidas' deep voice ceases Kassandra's swearing. "I'm sorry Myrrine." Before he can tell more the eagle bearer stands up and walks to prove that she is just fine.

"I'm not drunk, I'm angry with Kleon! The Athenian dog spread that I assassinated Perikles. Something is off with him; I overheard some soldiers before I departed from their city. He had dirty plans all along." She paces furiously but steady.

"You are close to tipsy." Myrrine glares both Brasidas and her daughter sitting down and waiting for her to calm down. Brasidas is quiet once again and Kassandra doesn't even glance at her mother in her fury.

Some time later she seats herself across her mother and gets the papers and notes she has about cultists and reads through them finding nothing that could indicate Kleon's involvement.

Brasidas asks if he can see the papers she took from the fort and he examines them carefully. Myrrine and Kassandra inform him of the treason they witnessed while they where in Naxos. The revelation upsets him.

"Keep me up to date please." Brasidas requests with furrowed forehead rubbing his beard. "I will keep an eye out, too." He adds, his lips pursed and Kassandra nods in agreement.

"Thank you for everything Brasidas. It's time to let you rest." Myrrine expresses her gratitude and stands up.

"You are always welcome. Where will you stay tonight?" Brasidas asks.

"At some old friends, they are waiting for us." Myrrine answers.

"No way. I'm going to the forest near Mesoa, you can go to your friends." Kassandra argues. She isn't a small girl to go around with her mother to strangers' homes and she can't leave Kass alone.

"You can stay here." Brasidas offers. "Both of you, whenever you need until you have your house back." He adds quickly before Myrrine can glare at him and make his face go red with shame.

"Thank you, but we'd better not. At least not today." Myrrine answers immediately in an attempt to prevent Kassandra from accepting.

"Mater is right, thank you, maybe we'll seek your offer another time." Kassandra states to avoid her mother's whimpering for an additional subject later on and stands up to grasp his hand.

They thank him and wish him goodnight. Kassandra picks up Kass and they exit the house closing the front door leaving him alone. He sinks down in his previous seat, covering his face with his palms and thinking how much of a fool he made of himself today.

He decides to occupy his mind by doing paperwork in his small office and hopes he will be able to sleep later. He feels bad for saying some foolish things looking like an idiot in front of Myrrine's sharp eyes, and the fact that he knows all the elite Spartans very well and has fought by their side and one of them must be a traitor, upsets him. A heavy sigh escapes his lips and he groans rifling through the papers at his desk.

Xxx

Myrrine is uneasy with Kassandra's behavior in many ways today and she begins to lecture her. She is proud of her daughter about lots of reasons, but if they are going to return to Sparta, Kassandra has to learn how to behave. She knows that she grew up alone without parents and rules and in a different place but some things must change.

She wouldn't pressure her to the strict rules of an Agiad, even though Myrrine would like to honor her father's legacy, but discipline is important. In fact, deep inside she actually admires her daughter's confidence and spirit and estimates that she got this far because of these traits.

Kassandra doesn't argue further. It's not the right time to confront her mother; she is happy Brasidas isn't a traitor, angry with Kleon and in a rush to find the commander. She kisses her mother on the cheek and says goodbye dashing out of the city with Kass and Phobos.

Later that night she camps at the forest and after feeding her companions she lays down to sleep for a few hours, entrusting Ikaros as her guardian while she will be sleeping. Kass curls up beside her and Phobos stands at her other side.

Xxx

The next morning Myrrine knocks on Brasidas' door early. He welcomes her in and they talk about the meeting with the kings. Brasidas reassures her that he will be there supporting them.

As soon as they arrange their way of action, Brasidas finds the courage to ask Myrrine if she is aware of Kassandra's encounter with Nikolaos. He desperately wants to make sure that she didn't lie.

Myrrine affirms that Kassandra has told her, and guessing the reason he questioned her, she shares plainly their conversation with Kassandra confessing that she didn't kill him.

Myrrine seizes the opportunity to provoke him about his out of ordinary association with her daughter, noting that they doubt each other while at the same time they offer mutual aid.

Her eyes pierce him making him tense. He is cornered, he sighs in defeat and begins with confessing that Nikolaos was like a father to him.

No more words are needed for Myrrine to hear, she has the conversation right where she wants.

"That's the problem. You always looked up to Nikolaos and now you are so much alike." Myrrine interrupts him. His confused look tells her to continue. "You are a good man Brasidas, but you are a bad match for Kassandra. Sparta is lucky to have men like you and Nikolaos, loyal, strong, smart but my daughter already had a father who let her down, the last thing that she needs is a replica of him as a lover. She is no better for you either. She is different, it's hard for her to obey and follow rules and laws. You will only cause pain to each other."

He is speechless, Myrrine's words cut deeper than any knife could, straight to his heart. He does his utmost to command his mind to focus. Maybe, she misunderstood him yesterday about him and Kassandra sleeping in the same cabin, presuming that they are together and at the same time he still doesn't trust her.

"We are just friends." He states to at least make up somewhat for his stupidity the previous day.

"I pray you will remain just friends since I witnessed the look in your eyes for both your sakes." Myrrine's tone is that of a mother. She is not threatening or accusing him she just cares for them.

She can see how different they are. She has gotten to know her daughter these past months. Kassandra isn't like any other woman; she is independent and intractable, whereas Brasidas is so much like Nikolaos. Myrrine can see it now, just as Nikolaos claimed all those years ago.

"Myrrine, I respect Kassandra, that's all. We're friends and I won't let her down, I'm not The Wolf." His voice is stable, but under the surface there is chaos in his mind.

"You are wrong. Have you ever given thought to why Nikolaos insisted on you being trained further than most of the boys? A commander risking his position to help a boy who is not his son advance and someday replace him. He saw himself in you, Brasidas." The revelation was already too much. Myrrine knows more, but she won't go further.

Brasidas is speechless once again. Way too many thoughts in his mind. He decides to open his mouth to deny that he and Nikolaos, The Wolf of Sparta, are similar, but he has no justifications.

"The day you will have to choose between Sparta and Kassandra will come and at least I prefer the betrayal being from a friendly acquaintance than something more and the other way round for Kassandra." She says softly putting a hand lightly on his shoulder.

This battle is lost. His heart sinks and he keeps quiet. Myrrine has a point. Could he balance his love for Kassandra and his loyalty to Sparta? What if he had to choose someday? He would hate himself if he was the cause of Kassandra's pain. His thoughts choke him.