Chapter 11: Pater
Nikolaos feels like he doesn't deserve her forgiveness neither her love. She could have killed him easily; she was angry and still she didn't. He didn't apologize to her although she just did to him. It wasn't her fault. He looks into her eyes and cracks.
He is kind hearted, but does his best to pose like strong and harsh. However, he's sick of it now. He's been away from his daughter for so long, she is all grown up and they both have endured so much pain. He wanted to be a dominant figure for his kids and his soldiers. No more, there is nothing left to teach Kassandra, but show her for once that he loves her.
Nikolaos opens his arms and closes the distance between them, embracing his daughter assuring her that it wasn't her fault, regretting his own choices. He has reconsidered his actions. He could have told his young daughter something or keep her away from the mountain that night, or be the one holding her hand giving her strength.
He should have known that Kassandra was an Agiad to the bone, she was more than her mother's daughter. She was just like her grandfather, headstrong and fearless, revolting against unfairness. She was born a fighter. He should have explained to her or have been by her side to hold her and help her accept it. He did nothing.
All that matters now is that she is alive. They have made amends; they are together again and well. Their paths should be difficult for some reason, that is what the Fates had planned for them.
She leaned into his embrace, accepting it. Her eyes are regretful and wet as tears threaten to fall. She never expected something like this from her father. She senses an old familiar feeling of being loved, just like when she was nine and a river of images streams her mind.
Kassandra breaks the embrace and explains to her father that she has to go find the rest of the Boeotian Champions. She tells him that she is assigned by Archidamos to assist Stentor win the region in order to gain her citizenship back.
Nikolaos is astonished of her wish to return to Sparta and she informs him that Myrrine insisted on it after they learnt one of the Kings is a cultist. His face lights up once Kassandra mentions her mother and he asks about her indirectly in the query about the cultist king.
Kassandra senses his interest and informs him that Myrrine is well, staying at some old friends in Sparta and she was ruling Naxos for the past years. He smiles and shifts his attention to the cult as he has some clues of his own to share with Kassandra.
"We don't know, yet. He is referred to as the Sage." She pauses and she is reminded that the Sage wants Brasidas dead. "I have to hurry, pater. I need to find Deianeira and Drakon as soon as possible." She finishes.
"Wait, Kassandra. I know where they are, I can help you. You shouldn't go alone to face Deianeira, she is well protected in a big fortress." He suggests hopeful to persuade her.
"Thank you, pater, but I can manage." She declares confidently refusing him.
"Please, Kassandra. You are a great warrior, I have faith in you, still you'd better not be alone." He insists softly.
"Alright, but we have to move. Do you have a horse?" She asks.
"I do. However, you are tired Kassandra. Why do you hurry so much?" He questions concerned.
"There is a bounty on a friend's head by the cult. He doesn't know, I have to go back and tell him." She frets. "You know him, too. It's Brasidas." She adds shyly.
Nikolaos sighs. "Don't worry, you'll be back before anything happens. He's clever and a great soldier." He assures her and he can't help it but ask her. "How do you know him?" Nikolaos wonders what weird game do the Fates play.
"I'll tell you everything on the road, I promise." She swears and her father nods. They begin to come down from the hill and she tells him about Korinth.
They reach his horse and Kassandra whistles to Phobos and Kass while her father unties the ropes of the bridles. He glances over her confused and when Phobos and Kass appear his eyes go wide. She reassures him about the lynx and resumes her storytelling as they ride their horses.
The road is long and he urges his daughter to tell him everything about her days in Korinth and she reveals most of it. The further they go, the more Nikolaos wonders what the plan of the Fates is and what is happening with Brasidas. He knew him well when he was younger, but now he is a man and men change. He decides to vocalize what bothers him and learn more from Kassandra
"Didn't Brasidas question you about the helmet? It doesn't sound like him." Nikolaos utters.
"He did later. Actually, the second time we met accidentally; we weren't that friendly." She admits chuckling. "Let's say I was holding my spear to his neck and he was more than angry." She chuckles again softly.
Her words intrigue her father more and she tells him about the incident at the fort and then her days in Sparta. She is careful not to say much just the summary of her adventures and not many information about Brasidas as she fears her tongue might expose her true feelings.
Nikolaos listens gingerly without interrupting her as his mind proceeds the events. The boy who used to resemble the Wolf so much and Nikolaos believed in, has become a strong, smart man whom he can hardly understand anymore. It sounds very weird that Brasidas broke the Spartan code so many times with Kassandra, he was always extremely loyal and obedient to his superiors.
Nikolaos comprehends that he has no right to intervene but he worries a bit of how concerned his daughter is about Brasidas. Their friendship is undoubtedly strong. She is determined to continue traveling until the horses collapse to cover the distance faster. She has no intension to rest even though she is already very tired.
A few hours later the horses begin to protest more intensely. Not only they neigh loudly, but also, they stop walking and breathe heavily. Nikolaos puts all his might to persuade her to camp somewhere for the night so they can rest and he manages to convince her.
They eat a small meal and go to sleep after they tend the animals. They agreed to wake up early to resume their journey as Kassandra insisted on being in a hurry.
She feels very tired, but her agony and worries are too much for her to handle. She recalls all those times when she was just a little too late and doesn't wish for history to be repeated. She will not be able to forgive herself if she is the cause of the death of another loved one. Phoibe's loss is already too much for her heart to take. Luckily for her, her eyelids are too heavy to keep them open and soon she falls asleep.
xxx
It's been five days since Kassandra left for the second time from the Spartan camp to hunt down the Boeotian Champions and this time Brasidas worries even more. A weird feeling disorientates him during the day and keeps him awake at nights. He wishes he could go with her. He spends his restless nights praying for her wellbeing.
The soldiers' gossips don't seem to cease about him and Kassandra as the days pass and stress rises his fellow Spartans take it out on teasing him, making it even harder for him.
Stentor is annoyed and most times can't restrain himself from treating Brasidas badly or showing his displeasure about the whole incident with Kassandra. Thankfully, they have developed some possible tactics for the oncoming battle and everyday the whole army engages to different formation and ways to attack, so they are occupied most of the day.
Brasidas is at the central tent disagreeing with Stentor about the location of the battle. Stentor insists on stunning the enemy from the hill side where the Athenians will have less time to assemble their forces. On the other hand, Brasidas asserts that the Phalanx will be at a disadvantage at the uneven, rocky terrain and noting how risky it is breaking the formation so early on the battlefield.
The two men are in conflict and the voting of the higher officers isn't effective as they can't decide on which is a better option. If the Boeotian Champions are dead, it would be better to go with Brasidas plan for sure. If the champions are still on the proscenium, risking and counting on the confusion and startle of several units gives them a higher chance than the downfall that they sense coming.
The whole camp is on edge and especially those higher in rank. Stentor is impatient and urges to engage in battle soon, at most in two weeks. He has asked for reinforcements twice, but the kings rejected. Sparta has turned her back on them claiming that there are no other available soldiers. All those higher in rank know very well that Sparta considers them already doomed and the region lost.
Brasidas strives to stimulate and encourage the soldiers. His priority is for the whole camp to maintain calm and confident. He does his best to persuade Stentor and the pressure is all on him.
xxx
Three days later father and daughter are on their way to find Deianeira after they have reached the small village where Drakon spent his time and Kassandra assassinated him covered by the evening shadows. It was an easy enough job for the mighty misthios and she heads now to the real challenge.
The plan is to get in the fort stealthily and assassinate as many soldiers as possible before Kassandra faces Deianeira. Nikolaos will sneak into the fortress from the opposite side and hopefully they will meet at the center. Each of them will focus on any close opponents ahead of them and to their right while Ikaros will be a helpful aid from above. Kass is going to accompany Kassandra covering her back as she usually does to similar missions.
Nikolaos and his daughter came closer these past days they've spent together, though a dark cloud still hovers over their heads and for neither of them is easy to erase the past. Yet there is hope that they could reunite again.
Nikolaos craves deep inside to ask Kassandra about her life and know everything that happened to her, but he hesitates to show his weakness. He is used to act like a heartless, strong and dutiful soldier so that he infuses respect and authority, however right now with Kassandra he feels like all these are just worthless.
It's already evening, their time together is running out, he is well aware of it. He's not going to miss his last chance.
"Will you stay in Sparta after all this is over?" Nikolaos isn't sure how to ask her directly if she would ever again want to become a family all together.
"If by this, you mean war. It'll take more than one lifetime for Sparta to get sick of war." She chuckles avoiding the answer with a humorous camouflage hoping that it's enough to avoid an uncomfortable discussion.
She believes that it's a good distraction for a man who doesn't know her anymore. She certainly needs more time to think about it and she has already let down her ego, opening her heart multiple times. If her father wants to say something, he can as well do it first for once.
She has misjudged both him and the circumstances. He knows her better than she believes or would ever credit him for and his sharp mind processes more than he ever reveals. He could trap her any moment if he wanted to.
"So, the answer is no. I guess you're doing it all for your mater." He acclaims staring at her and studying her face.
Kassandra sighs. "Why are you asking, pater?" She challenges him to speak his mind as she stares him back right in the eyes and folds her arms to her chest.
"Because I missed you all… and I would give anything for a chance to reunite with you again under the same roof." His hesitation disappears as soon as he witnesses Kassandra's eyes opening wider than before with surprise.
Her reaction gives him hope. The sparkle of hope after Megaris has turned into flame. A flame that grows deep inside, every time she forgives him and talks to him almost normally.
"Maybe, someday... We could try for once." Her reply astonishes him. She does give him a second chance. "Mater, would like that, too." She adds almost in a whisper and his heart beats fast about to burst out of his chest because of the sudden happiness.
He smiles to his daughter mouthing a silent thank you rubbing her shoulder lovingly. Kassandra smiles back to him looking into his eyes. The emotions take over their minds and it takes a few moments for both of them to find their words again.
"Let's rest now, we have to be in good shape for tomorrow." Nikolaos breaks the silence and his statement sounds like an order.
"I prefer to act at night or just before dawn." Kassandra opposes instinctively, her independent and disobedient nature coming to the surface.
"Kassandra, you are exhausted…" He notes and hesitantly adds. "Don't neglect your needs."
He really worries for his daughter as she doesn't take even a second to rest and she has a big battle waiting for her. As for the fact that she seems to be friendly towards Brasidas and she will be by his side now that Nikolaos is away, it easies his mind. Though, he would like to see again the young man.
"I'm fine and we shouldn't let Brasidas be in danger for long." She declares persistent to go on.
"Is he so important to you?" Nikolaos asks calmly with honest interest while at the same time thrilled about this association.
"Yes, he is! He's been a great friend. I owe him a lot, more than I would wish to admit." She declares making apparent her rare big power of will which moves her forward.
His eyes light up. He is pleased to know that Kassandra and Brasidas get along together. Could his destroyed plans come to life? So much has changed, it would be harder now.
"I see, a matter of loyalty. Alright, lead the way." He agrees finally, having faith in his daughter avoiding to reveal anything.
Without another word, they resume their travel, going South until the fortress is within view. They rest for a few hours covered by the dense vegetation of the forest. The horses are left there, they get closer on foot to scan the area with Ikaros' assistance.
A little later they split up. Kassandra and Kass move together silently taking out soldiers from the side of the central gate while Nikolaos gets in from the back. There are about twenty soldiers wandering around and it takes quite some time for the first phase of the mission to be done.
When they both finally reach the central building where Deianeira must be, they stay together. There is no reason to hide anymore, they make their way up to face anyone they come across openly.
Kass turns out to be great help. Her hearing is perfect to detect the smallest movement and she can easily distract the soldiers and keep one busy each time. The four soldiers who were there and Deianeira stand no chance. During the commotion Deianeira aims to wound Nikolaos, judging that he is an easier target.
The last champion falls dead. Kassandra has a deep cut at her left hand because she protected her father from a probably fatal blow. Nikolaos gets up and searches for the right supplies to treat her wound. She lets him only wrap it in a cloth and insists on their immediate departure for the camp.
She is headstrong so he doesn't press on claiming that she needs to rest and heal. All these days she hardly eats and sleeps, enough only so that she won't fall down. She's like a true strong Spartan soldier and he's proud of her. His daughter is truly more than any boy could have been and he knew it since the first time he held her in his hands.
Kassandra's forearm aches but that doesn't slow her down. She is determined to return to the Spartan camp the sooner she can manage, aiming to cover the distance by tomorrow.
Nikolaos travels alongside to look after her in any way possible and even though he is well trained neither his daughter's pressure to the limits nor his age are easy on him. She could be the death of him or any other man that crosses her or attempts to compete with her in many ways.
The next day, under the hot midday sun, the horses give up and Kassandra continues on foot no matter how much Nikolaos tries to convince her to change her mind. He truly feels as if he's about to go to Hades. His legs are at the edge of giving up and the exhaustion is almost too much for him. No wonder the horses barely walk riderless since noon.
Around sunset, they are close to the Spartan camp and they have to split paths. Nikolaos will head to the Sanctuary of Athena and stay there until after the battle when he'll give her the information he's gathered. He hopes to persuade her to assist her or at least he'll see her one more time before she leaves.
He hugs her briefly and holds her by the shoulders at arm's length gazing into her eyes for a long moment before letting her go.
"Take care of yourself." Nikolaos utters in a low voice hardly audible.
"I will, pater. Goodbye." She promises and gives him a small reassuring smile.
He remains by the side of the road for a little while watching her figure getting smaller and fading to the shades as it gets darker and darker.
xxx
"Commander, the misthios is back." The loud voice of the soldier interrupts the heated argument between Stentor and Brasidas bringing relief to the later and nerves to the other.
Kassandra enters the tent without waiting for any permission. Her tiredness is written all over her face and body, although she doesn't look any less dangerous than usual.
"The job is done, Stentor." She announces breathless, yet confidently crossing her arms to her chest.
"You look awful! Was it too hard for you?" Stentor mocks in an attempt to belittle her abilities, infuriated she pretends to be fine and of her impudent manner.
Her temper is wearing thin with her stepbrother's continuous aggression and her exhaustion is an added bother so she fires back.
"I just skipped rest hours and hurried to prevent you from being defeated." She challenges him.
He hardly manages to control his temper and not march on her to snatch her neck and break it. The only thing keeping him from it is the thought that he will kill her after the battle. He comes up with another idea for the time being to annoy her.
"We attack right now. Pass the order." Stentor commands turning to Brasidas with a wicked satisfied smirk that reveals his malevolent feelings towards Kassandra. He wishes her to die and he isn't ashamed to show it.
"We aren't ready! I suggest we take position during the night and attack at dawn." Brasidas disagrees, buying Kassandra some extra time.
"No!" Stentor barks throwing his hands in the air, but Brasidas resumes his justification and manages to persuade the angry commander.
A few hours of rest are necessary for the soldiers to be more efficient as they should not only make preparations to their weapons and armor, but also to their bodies and minds. Stentor is left alone in his rage while Brasidas goes to convey the orders and Kassandra follows him outside.
"I have something to tell you." She whispers as soon as the soldiers run to alert everyone.
He looks into her eyes stone faced and before she can say the words 'not here', he turns his back on her.
"Follow me." He says.
They go to the training grounds where it's usually deserted after evening and they sit down.
"You're hurt." He notices and points to the bandage. His forehead wrinkles a bit.
"It's just a scratch." She dismisses immediately. "There is a… bounty." She pauses gazing at him for a moment. "On you." She finishes.
"Just wait until after the battle." He teases her completely indifferent to the information and without even a ghost of a smile on his lips.
"It's the traitor king." She adds searching his expressions, confused that he acts like this.
"I'm used to enemies. Another target on my back only proves that I do what is right." He utters staring at her.
"Is something wrong? You seem distant." She asks puzzled and disappointed.
"Only not to fuel the rumors, you deserve respect." He discloses in a low voice smiling briefly. "You should rest. Use my tent. I have plenty of work to do." He advises as he is about to stand up.
She grabs his hand pulling him down. "Thank you, but first listen up." She smiles sheepishly. "The wolf is here! He's at the Sanctuary of Athena."
Brasidas eyes go wide and a smile replaces the tight line his lips were almost the whole time they've been here. That was an excellent solution to his other problem! He only had a couple more errands to do tonight.
"You spoke?" He questions although he's sure the answer is yes.
Kassandra nods. "He helped me these days. He's waiting there for a goodbye before I depart from Boeotia. You could come along to see him." She suggests aware of the fact that Brasidas cares deeply for his former General and this would erase any small doubt.
"Right after the battle, if the Gods favor us." He agrees saying a small silent prayer.
If. That's the right word. There's no guaranty they will walk out of the battle alive. The battlefield is chaos and even great warriors fall. Kassandra was always confident and has never been afraid. Right now, she feels like moments end in the blink of an eye.
Her life taught her that the most unexpected things can happen out of nowhere. She was a child living with her family one moment and the next her brother and her were sentenced to death. There's nothing more possible to happen than a death as the outcome of a battle, so, she wonders why she is so sure everything will be the same as before.
These thoughts and her father's revelation and unexpected display of love and repentance impel her to act now ignoring any possible stares of onlookers or the consequences. What if she never sees him again? What if this is her only chance?
She moves forward closing the distance between her and Brasidas in a quick motion. Her hands find his shoulders first, but quickly move higher to his neck. The fingers of her right-hand tangle his braid and burry into his hair while her left hand urges him closer by his nape as she kisses him.
He is taken by surprise at first and for a moment he's still. It's completely unexpected but well welcomed. He leans into the kiss embracing her tightly pulling her body to his causing their armor to cling together producing a loud clang in the process. He is too busy to chuckle, savoring her lips hungrily.
A moment that he didn't even dare to dream of, to avoid getting his hopes up and they end up crashed. Their lips move in unison, forcefully, passionately, indicating the need for each other which both Kassandra and Brasidas feel, but keep it as a secret to themselves. Her lips are warm, despite of the cool breezy night. He can feel the heat her body radiates. His heart beats fast and loudly and his breathing is heavy.
Kassandra suddenly comes to her senses and breaks the kiss fearing the inevitable consequences. The uncertainty of tomorrow's events and the psychological pressure affected her. Passion blinded her and lead her astray. Brasidas stares into her eyes with a wide smile on his face and breathing heavily. Her face though is flushed red and she refrains from meeting his gaze.
"Kassandra…" Brasidas begins in a hushed tone smiling, but she dashes away from him as soon as he opens his mouth. "Wait…!" He calls a little louder as she strides off without glancing back.
He goes after her to make sure she's going to rest properly as they had agreed before. He gathered her aversion to talk about what just happened and he's willing to be patient and give her time. He calls her name again, but she doesn't turn around, so he grabs her arm and she stops on the spot without facing him.
"Sleep well. A difficult battle awaits us tomorrow." He advises in a smooth tone, retrieving his hand and walking away.
Kassandra is nervous and feels ashamed for her impulsive act although he responded positively. His reaction is surely promising; he did kiss her back. She lies down to his bed and closes her eyes wishing to drift off soon so that she won't smell his scent any more. His taste is already a painful reminder of her shameful rashness.
Brasidas goes around the camp making arrangements for the next hours and encouraging the soldiers. He takes the opportunity when almost everyone goes to rest, to slip out of the camp and rushes down the hill to the nearby forest.
Some time later he reaches his desired destination and makes his presence known to the person he came seeking for.
"Brasidas. Why are you here?" The man's voice is demanding and full of authority as his figure becomes clearer the closer he gets.
"I need your assistance." Brasidas exclaims firmly with an even voice. He wouldn't fear his master of course no matter how many years they haven't seen each other. He recognizes the sound of his voice and trusts the man across from him.
"Tell me." The answer is a simple demand, as always.
Brasidas bets that if this meeting happened in any other time of the day just a little brighter there wouldn't even be a word, but just a sign for him to go on.
"Be at the forest northeast from here, tomorrow at dawn. Close to the Athenian camp." Brasidas fears to reveal more right now and is in a hurry to go back to the Spartan camp, but the lack of agreement causes him to add as he begins to take the road back. "It's important. Goodnight."
He hopes it's enough to persuade the man, wishing he's made the right choice when he came here to find him. He isn't sure of the outcome, of what the man he's facing right now is thinking any more. Time changes people and the way they act. Never before the two of them would have such a cold interaction. There is doubt by both sides towards the other of their motives.
There is no time to feel anything right now or think of any facts. He has to organize the camp and persuade Stentor so he keeps walking away with his head held high, focused to the attacking tactic.
"Goodnight…" The man finally says watching Brasidas leaving. The Spartan's figure is almost swallowed by the shadows when the older man nods with his head. "…son." He mutters additionally when Brasidas' figure is far enough not to hear it and only then he turns away to hide for the night.
Xxx
Notes: Hello everyone! This is my Christmas "gift" to you! Happy holidays! I hope you are all well and healthy. Have a happy new year!
Thank you all for your support! I hope to update soon, despite my exams! I wish you enjoyed this chapter. I believe most fathers and daughters have a special connection like I do with mine. No matter how far we are and how headstrong and distant he acts to be some times, he will always be my hero (even though he lost his mind!) and I love him.
Finally, I would like to apologize again for my typos! I'm doing my best, but I have dyslexia and sometimes I can't spot the mistakes, or my brain gets confused. If you see anything, you can send me a message!
You can leave a review about what you think of this chapter and this fiction. Is it any good? Let me know. Thank you everyone!