Chapter 17: Dare

It has been more than a month since the Adrestia docked in Krete. Kassandra has accepted many contracts and some were easy enough to have them finished on the same day she took them up. She needs to meet people and make connections in order to get information. The clues Nikolaos provided are a good start, but not enough to identify the cultist she came here looking for.

It's a nice change that Krete hasn't taken part in the war. There are no Athenians, nor Spartans and her father is able to walk freely. She doesn't stay long in Kydonia. The controversies between the merchants and the local authorities got her in trouble since she got her hand in it. She leaves right after she faces the local Commander. She travels to Gortyn, Heraklion and Lato along with Nikolaos who refused to wait on the ship. He turned out to be helpful, since she often sends him alone on simple missions and she goes on others, the most difficult and complex. They separate much during the day and it serves her well. She has space that she truly needs and they work faster. They have set a meeting place where they return every night. At least Nikolaos does. Kassandra skips some nights, or most, asserting she can't make it in time or that she is too far.

Winter has more than started to show its true colors. Strong winds with heavy rain, and snow on occasion, lash out wildly and the temperature is low. The mountaintops are covered in a thick layer of luminous white snow. Kassandra spent three days crossing Mount Psiloritis for a supposed shortcut to reach a cave and collect obsidian for a contract.

Right now, the sun begins to disappear and looks like diving into the sea. Barnabas and Herodotos are seated close to each other at the deck, covered in warm chitons and furs. The chilling wind gets through the fabric and reaches the skin causing them both trembling. They rub their palms together to produce some heat and Barnabas jokes that if someone cut his hand, he wouldn't notice the pain.

Ikaros lands on the wooden railing in front of them and they turn their heads to spot Kassandra and Nikolaos with their horses making it to the platform. Kass jumps on the Adrestia and vanishes through the heft in search of a warmer place to sleep, causing everyone to laugh.

"Smart cat. We should all follow her example, soon, or we'll freeze to death." Herodotos comments and stands up.

Barnabas shakes his head smiling wide. "Ah, later, I want to hear the new stories. Kassandra, how was it? What adventures did you come across?"

"Not anything worthy of this cold, we can catch up tomorrow. We are going to find the Arena. I'll compete and thought you might be interested to watch." She replies, covering Phobos's back with a fur.

The announcement gets the two men by surprise, their eyes go wide and dart from her face to each other's. The Wolf shakes his head and grimaces in distaste. Herodotos decides to remain silent.

"Of course, I am, but isn't it a little too dangerous? Even for you." The old sailor hesitates and looks at her concerned.

"Not you, too. Come on Barnabas, where's your enthusiasm?"

"Well, you're right. We have nothing to fear. You're the great Eagle Bearer! No one can match you."

"Keep telling her nonsense and she'll get herself killed." Nikolaos growls in a deep low voice.

He argues insisting it's unnecessary. A fight to death that has no cause and can be evaded. There is no reason to risk her life. It's not about the ability and skills of a warrior, sometimes it's just a small fatal error.

She doesn't listen to her father, she doesn't care. She wants to claim the money and the title. She would like Kosmos to know whom they're dealing with. Show them, she has no fear, she has skills and she's coming for their necks. There were enemies in the past who dealt blows to her or cut her, but she isn't going to die easily. She just won't.

Days later, the Adrestia sails east going alongside to the shore at the further end of the island. They manage to spot wooden stairs going deep down from a huge rock to what seems like a gorge. There isn't any known village in this part of the region of Pephka, so they believe they have found their destination. They dock in a natural bay and Kassandra makes a change before departing. She replaces her armor with an older one, a simple yet beautiful torso of leather and gold, much lighter in weight to allow better flexibility.

Kassandra, Nikolaos and Barnabas leave the ship and find the Arena. She takes part in the contest and manages to win the first two rounds without much sweat. She continues and is happily surprised that the third is a member of the cult, who brags provokingly that he'll kill her and get her head to the next meeting. It's more possible the other way around. After this incident she's determined to get to the end and win the title. She starts one match after the other, with little break. In only three days' time, she goes to the final.

Tired from the continuous fights, Kassandra makes a mistake, misjudging a wounded mercenary. She has just pulled her spear from another opponent when she turns around and gets stabbed. She dodges as soon as the tip of the blade pierces through the armor and evades a serious injury. With a quick move of her dagger, she finishes off the mercenary.

She is announced the new champion of the Arena. She is cheered and applauded by the crowd. She receives the prize as her name is carved in a wooden tablet to be hung above the entrance. Under the pressure of Nikolaos, they leave soon after Kassandra makes a quick stop at the blacksmith. It turns out, her father is right, because on the way to the ship the movement causes bleeding from the wound and she loses a significant amount of blood until they reach the Adrestia. The fact is the motive he needs to start scolding her like a small child.

She sighs rolling her eyes. "It's not the first time nor the last, I'll wrap it and it'll be fine."

She isn't used to such attention, Barnabas has always been beside her since they met and looked after her, but he was never compulsive. Her father, on the other hand, is and she got tired of him. The Wolf is aware he is stepping around broken glass.

"Let us treat you, so you can go out there again, sooner." He reminds her with a low voice.

A wave of dizziness hits her and small black spots appear in her vision. She acknowledges she has to lie down to heal and finally obeys.

. . .

Brasidas leans against the railing and watches the waves, silent. Just yesterday, he was a part of the most humiliating naval battle Sparta has ever lost. It wasn't really his fault. He was a second advisor to the general Admiral who was adamant in his own plan. Though, Brasidas feels that when the Spartan ships began to sink, he could -no- should do something different. From his ship he could command at least a few around him to follow another tactic. He didn't, he stuck to the orders he was given, he only shouted to encourage them. He shakes his head. He cannot take it back now. They are defeated, the fleet is destroyed. Only a few ships are returning to Nauplion for repairs, the rest lie in the bottom of the sea or fell to Athenian hands. Many men died and as if these aren't enough, the first advisor, ashamed, committed suicide in front of everyone.

Brasidas is still shaken from the events, despite pretending confidence and keeping his composure. He has to hold his head high, no matter what. He is the one who'll report everything to the kings. For now, in written reports, to stay on the front line, but he fears his failure is going to cost him. For a moment he wishes he could have Kassandra's assistance. Even with her ship she could do a lot, just like she did at the battlefield. She proved it in Megaris and it would be an opportunity to see her again. However, he wouldn't want to endanger her, she has her own battles to fight. He could still use it as an excuse to send her a message.

He can't. What would he write? He is a disaster. He has failed so badly while she won yet another region for his kings. Her deeds that she helped Mykonos revolt and align with Sparta are spread everywhere. Will she hear about his disgracing mistake? He has to write something to her, to see whether he has lost her esteem.

. . .

One day, a messenger is searching for Kassandra, and hands over to Barnabas a letter. From a Spartan commander he says and leaves. Nikolaos stares at it intrigued in the sailor's hands before turning his attention back to his discussion with Herodotos. She appears much later from her cabin in her red cloak, with the lynx by her side. She has almost healed. When she steps on the quarterdeck, the old captain notices her new armor underneath.

"By the Gods. Kassandra you are so beautiful! Closer to a pretty woman than a scary misthios. How come you decided to do this change?"

"Thanks Barnabas, I guess. I won these two." She says pointing at her hand and torso. "The material is soft, good quality leather."

"Ah, a fine reward. An even better attire." He says with a wink and adds in a whisper so only she can hear. "Is someone special the reason for this? Maybe, some long bearded Spartan Commander?"

She rolls her eyes and crosses her arms to her chest. "Don't be ridiculous. I like it and it's more convenient."

"It's not a shame to care for your appearance. I'm sure the commander likes you too much already, but this will make him keen for long. It won't be long until we reach the mainland and the two of you meet again." He continues the conversation in hushed tones.

She throws a glance at her father and lowers her own voice before answering. "You are right. I'm going to see him, first chance I get. I don't care for my looks though. Neither he nor any man can make me do so."

"My girl, don't compare Brasidas to Thaletas. It's mostly unfair. The one has been beside you, backed you up many times, while the other was an opportunist egoist."

She chuckles. "Don't try to defend men."

He joins her laughing loudly. "In any case, look what arrived for you this morning."

..- - -..

Sparta is grateful for your achievements. I wish you are well. We could use your assistance at sea for yet another time, if you are unoccupied. The fleet is between Aigina and Salamis.

P.S For drachmae this time.

- B.

A SSS

..- - -..

She laughs at the postscript and the signature. He must have written what she called him. Despite not being personal at all, it's kind of sweet. In this brief collection of words, he showed respect and genuine interest, not to mention the signing that gives a friendly vibe. It makes her heart flutter. It will always surprise her how this man can bring a smile on her lips, how he can make her stomach clench and her heart beat faster. Even with the smallest things he does.

Barnabas peeks at the letter in her hands and asks what the triple 'S' means.

"Stupid stubborn Spartan. I called him that once or twice." She chuckles and the old sailor joins her.

She picks up a piece of papyrus and ink well and writes back with an old fallen feather of Ikaros.

..- - -..

I have something important to finish. I'm not near either, but I'll try to make it in time. No promises. Wish you well.

- Kassandra, the troublemaker

..- - -..

She has a good reason to hurry. She has to see him again. They need to talk, to see how he is going to behave around her. What may have changed between them.

What they are.

Weeks later, Kassandra has recovered, gone to Kythera, dealt with a female cultist and now she is back to Krete, following new clues. There is another one here she wasn't able to uncover on her own. She was stuck, but at the end, it doesn't matter, he will be dead and gone. She has to do a lot of effort, but she is willing to raise every single rock on this island to find him.

She is thankful that Nikolaos joined her side, now more than ever. She prefers working alone on land missions, but she can't deny that it's faster this way. She chooses the hardest contracts for herself and mostly keeps her father at safe distances and easy tasks. He's like a misthios of his own.

. . .

Brasidas has been waiting and hoping for many things. One of those has been Kassandra's appearance. Unfortunately, she hasn't come to find him for the whole time he's blockading Salamis with the ships. He even recalculates the time needed for the messages to be sent and received and a possible delay. She would have a month to make the travel, but she hasn't so far.

When a messenger comes seeking for him, he is hopeful and worried at the same time, counting it's from her. Until he perceives it comes from Sparta. The kings summon him back and the operation will be led by another admiral. He curses under his breath and squeezes the paper in his fist before tearing it forcefully and throwing it to be taken by the wind. The frustration is so great that he almost kicks a palm-wood cask. His hopes are suddenly shuttered in a single moment. He is so close to achieve the greatest and most important victory. They are cutting the routs to the city, isolating the two colony islands and it wouldn't be long until the port of Peiraeus would be shut out. He would soon make Athens surrender and beg for truce.

He's been awaiting Kassandra to arrive. She is late, but she may show up eventually, when he will no longer be here.

He is forced to travel to Gytheion with a ship that needs repairs and then to Sparta. His return is worse than the last time, no matter how impossible it seemed then, he is demoted again. He is sent to a camp to preserve the lines. It is believed that the enemy will try to regain the region of Megara and he is expected to fight and hold the lines. The exclusion from sea caused the Athenians to try and gain ground in the mainland to have access to supplies.

Once Brasidas steps out of the throne room with the new assignment, he immediately rushes to his house in search of a piece of papyrus. He hands a small scroll to a messenger before gathering his things anew to get to the camp. It's been a couple of weeks since he left the position, he had told her he would be.

..- - -..

I write to inform you that the operation at sea I was in charge of is over. No need to travel. The situation in Megaris is quite stable. I pray time short until we meet again.

- B.

..- - -..

. . .

By the time it reaches Kassandra, she has announced Salamis as their destination. Only a day before the departure. She curses under her breath. She lost the opportunity to see him, his summon was the perfect excuse. What will she say to Nikolaos, now? Unless... That's it! She has an idea. She turns around with a smile and hugs Barnabas and Herodotos whispering to reveal her plans.

"We set sail to Megaris!" She declares.

The ship is getting closer to the mainland. Peloponnese is faintly visible at the horizon and becomes clearer and larger each passing hour. Kassandra is seated down on the wooden deck with the lynx laying on her feet. She passes her fingers through Kass's fur, absentmindedly. Her father is standing a little farther, polishing his sword. She sighs and looks at him, gathering her courage.

"Getting closer to Sparta makes me wonder about lots of things and I have a question for you."

He takes a few steps closer to her before replying. "Which is?"

"How did you and mother meet? Why did you marry?" She takes a breath and continues. "Did you... eh, well, love her?"

"It's not 'a' question."

It appears as if he's trying to evade responding, but since she asked, there is no way to back down. She raises an eyebrow and casts a smugly grin at him.

"It is connected. I want to understand so don't avoid the answer."

She watches as the corners of his lips turn upwards and he lowers himself to sit down beside her. He takes a moment to recollect himself, gazing at the sea.

He turns to face her and begins. "We were young. She was always beautiful, graceful... I was looking at her whenever she was around. Although, she never glanced at me, at anyone long enough. We were so much beneath her."

She is so shocked she jolts forward waking Kass. "She was looking down at you?" She gasps and pets the lynx's head.

His lips curve into a smile for a single moment. "She was uninterested. Later, I was an officer, I had learned to be fearless in front of death and beasts. I decided Myrrine couldn't be an exception and approached her. I found her one day at the river cooling her feet under the hot summer sun. Talked to her and she saw me for the first time with interest."

Neither an admission, nor a denial, but her instinct screams it was an admission when he smiled. She would have missed it with just a small blink, but she didn't. She saw it and it seems to her it was bittersweet. 'Spartans and their mysticism. They hardly say what's on their mind.' She thinks and shakes her head only a bit. She doesn't wish to remain confused. She managed to voice it and refuses to accept it may be done pointlessly.

"So, you loved each other? You wanted to marry?"

Nikolaos smiles this time steadily facing her. "We did. Your grandmother defied the Heraklid king for our sake."

"Then I don't understand why you didn't choose her over everything else. Why didn't you take mater and us and flee Sparta before anything happened?"

"Myrrine left Sparta because she couldn't stand looking at me. She was too proud to leave otherwise. She used to have what she wanted until Gorgo and your uncle died." He sighs and presses his lips together.

She leaves it there. Obviously, it's a matter that hurts. She's not the only one that suffered. She is well aware, yet seems to forget it sometimes.

Many days later, they reach the bay beside the port of Nisaia and the first thing Kassandra does is go for a quick hunt with her lynx. The wild cat spent many days on the ship and has been very restricted. Kassandra acknowledges the distress and wants to offer her companion a natural moment and the sense of freedom.

Soon, she returns to the Adrestia to drop off Kass and disappears again, making it to the city and through the streets.

. . .

Brasidas enters his tent at last. He needs a good night's sleep after such a long and exhausting day. He bends to take off his greaves when he hears her voice.

"You aren't careful, Brasidas."

He is so tired that his mind is playing games with him. He looks around scanning the shadows, but there is no figure, no difference in the black shapes of the shades. His eyes haven't adjusted well yet, but there is almost no possibility to be real. Has he gone mad from exhaustion?

She appears from a dark corner and walks closer. She is different. She wears new armor, more feminine. His jaw almost drops for a moment. It makes him doubt his senses, he may be dreaming.

He approaches her hesitantly.

She is more beautiful and looks stronger. The brown leather breastplate has a perfect fit. The small gold details give light and discreet elegance. She could be the warrior princes of the amazons.

"Kassandra?" He utters with some difficulty.

She grants him a sort smile. He seems so lost, so surprised and it's been a long time since she last saw him. She can't hold it for long though, as her mind has stuck to doubting and worrying.

He closes the distance and embraces her. His usual rich chuckle fills their ears. His hands roam her bare shoulders. Her muscles and bones look graceful. Even the scars add to her beauty.

His breath hitches in awe and desire. He leans in and presses his lips against hers. Her response isn't as warm as he expected. She quickly breaks the kiss. He retrieves his hands putting them behind his back and takes a step backwards to give her some space. His smile fades and a serious expression takes its place.

"Is everything alright?" His tone is low and sweet, he sounds to be full of concern.

He detected the difference and respects her bad mood. She thinks he earns one point, but she must go further. She nods and pretends to be tired, putting a palm to momentarily cover her eyes and rub her forehead. She is afraid to open her mouth and attempt to lie saying yes. He may catch her.

She grabs him from his armor and pulls him towards her, crashing her mouth on his. It takes less than a second for him to respond, he wraps her in his arms tighter than ever. She is dragging him along to the bed behind her. Lying down and kissing simultaneously, she struggles to untie the bindings of his armor with her tremulous fingers. Every move of hers is aggressive and uncharacteristically dabbling. This time Brasidas pulls back.

"Do you feel well?" He asks as he tries to touch her forehead with his and fails as she turns her head away.

"What do you care how I feel? I offer entertainment."

He sits up clasping his hands together and gazing at the ground. "You won't feel better by wasting your time with me."

She can hear it in his voice. It echoes hoarse. He has almost turned his back on her. Her words hurt him. He is a friend who cares for her, he has always been. He is not taking advantage of the opportunity. She has to make sure. There must be a way to ask him. She has to know. There is no time to waste. He is disappointed, he may send her away any moment. The opportunity slips from her fingertips.

She places her hand on his knee and slowly runs it over his skin moving it a bit higher on his thigh. He fails to suppress a shiver under her touch. She bites her bottom lip. What if he responds to her advances? A part of her craves that. She misses his warmth, his arms around her, that sense of serenity. Another, fears it.

He stops her, taking hold of her palm, but makes no other move. He is silent waiting for her to speak up, offering another chance.

"I met someone, in Mykonos... a Spartan." She begins hesitantly and swallows hard before she continues. "He reminded me of you... and..."

He quickly cuts her off loosening his grip and retrieving his hand to close it into a fist. "You don't have to explain. We made no big declarations. You didn't promise me anything."

She looks at him. He is perfectly still. She can see the tense muscles, even though, his voice sounds calm. He is clenching his jaw.

"No... He claimed his love for me while he was in a relationship..." Her voice becomes deeper with every sentence. The flow of words becomes emphatic. "...and when I rejected him, he returned back to her like nothing ever happened..." She pauses, her eyes examine his moves as the next words leave her mouth. "I wonder if you... share these beliefs."

Brasidas finally turns to face her. His eyebrows are knitted together. He looks angrier than before and much older than he is. As if he aged ten years during their conversation.

"You believe I would do that to you? You can't have that opinion for me."

"You said it yourself, we made no promises." She counters.

His glare is penetrating. She can tell how much he is affronted. He's not such a despicable and craven man. It's derogatory.

"Did we have to? There is honesty between us." He pauses for a single moment. "I wasn't even interested for woman until we met." He exhales to calm himself and continues in a lower voice. "I want you. No stammering, no other woman."

Her head falls in shame. "I tried to forget you in Mykonos, but I couldn't. I thought this between us ended when we parted."

He takes hold of her hand rubbing her knuckles with his thumb. "I could await you for an eternity."

She doesn't understand what this means, what he wants to say. Wait for what? For her return? Telling her that there is something deeper and swearing exclusiveness? He's still not claiming anything with words and she can't but compare him to Thaletas who was declaring love in such sort time. Does it mean, that Brasidas wants to let her choose freely instead of persuading her with flatteries? Could his last words mean he has strong feelings? He may be referring to their rare meetings. She shouldn't care, sincerity should suffice.

Her expression becomes softer. For some weird reason she behaves like a small child and crosses her arms in front of her chest.

"Prove it."

He chuckles and steers his whole body to her. "I admit... you caught my attention in Korinth and this is the first and only time it happened to me. I care about you since then."

She shakes her head. "I don't like big words."

He holds her gaze as he cups her cheek. "I don't say words I don't mean." His voice is just above a whisper, yet his tone solid and serious. He leans forward. "Kassandra, no matter how far we are, I never get you out of my mind."

"Neither can I." She breathes out.

She pulls him to her and kisses him. She feels his smile and hears a muffled 'my sneaky cat' against her lips. Just like that the weight is lifted of her shoulders and there's no longer that tightness at her chest.

Kassandra believes him. Deep inside, in her heart she knows, her brain agrees. Brasidas is a friend foremost, he doesn't lie to her, and he's always been straightforward. He wouldn't hesitate to tell if he was simply looking for pleasure and a frivolous affair. He said it before there is honesty between them. They have a different connection. More genuine and she's quite certain he wouldn't hesitate to declare their affair unimportant if he was simply looking for that.

There is no doubt, he sees her the same way she sees him. They like each other. He wouldn't ruin their friendship otherwise. At least, if that was the case, he would have acted differently. What they have is different - a rare connection, she dares to think- and they both feel it. For her, it's clear now.

Assurance is the greatest gift. It brings relief beyond imagination. Having knowledge of his intention to be devoted to their odd commitment, is enough for Kassandra. She doesn't aim for more.

She touches his face, his beard, his arms. Her fingers trace every unique part of him within reach. She avoids the braid, that damn little thing that disoriented her and put her in temptation just because of fear and loneliness. Her other senses fade. She can only hear their hearts beating fast and loud in their chests and their raged breaths. She can smell his sweet lovely scent, filling her nostrils, which she dearly missed. She allows to her own body to melt under his touch and come alive.

His warmth envelops her whole being. Her head drops backwards, eyelids closed, in an attempt to uphold the memory, engrave it in her mind. He doesn't cease, his mouth moves to her neck, placing fervent kisses along the way to the base of her collarbone gently on soft skin.

Her mouth opens slightly, for deep exhale. She craves for more and so does he. He is the first to advance and make a move. His palm moves to her thigh, caressing it with round motions. It moves up, higher and higher bit by bit.

His fingertips leave trails on her skin. When they reach her pteruges and her chiton, her eyes burst open. She beholds a gasp biting her inner cheek and grabs his wrist. Despite having everything cleared out, she isn't ready to take this step. She has to stop it before the situation becomes uncontrollable.

"You said you can wait." She utters breathless.

He freezes. He slowly retrieves his hand placing it to rest on her side. His face is buried in her neck. He brings his lips on hers tenderly this time, slowly.

"I will." He promises.

He is happy and disappointed at the same time. He needed proof she wasn't capable of being with Alkibiades and her behavior verifies it.

"You want me to stop completely?" He asks with a hoarse voice unable to suppress it.

She shakes her head and breaths out. "No" A smugly grin appears on her face and she laughs at his reaction.

Relief and longing cross his face. His eyes become dark again in an instant and his hands find her body. He leans closer cupping her cheek with his palm. He brings his mouth to hers once again. Slow passionate kisses and innocent caresses of soft skin. His hands trace her neck and arms while hers hold his nape. Finally, she wraps his braid around her fingers as she used to, just like she wanted all this time.

They break the kiss for air.

"You were always in my thoughts, in my dreams... distance was the hardest thing I faced in my life."

She looks up at him expectedly and he continues.

"I'm willing for this torture, being away from you for months if only I can hold you like this when we meet. And for me there is no replacement, it's you or no one."

She smiles at him. "Then it's the same for me. We are going to have this weird kind of relationship."

He chuckles closing his eyes. Opening them again he states sincerely. "I'm in with all my heart."

Her eyes go wide but happiness soon takes over them. She pulls him closer kissing his lips to seal the promise.

Her eyelids begin to feel heavy after a while. A mild headache indicates the need of sleep. She doesn't want to leave and miss the opportunity. He breaks the kiss and studies her face for a moment.

She is tired. She gives him an apologetic soft smile, fighting down a yawn. His lips touch the spot between her eyebrows softly. He settles beside her and takes off his greaves. She watches him puzzled, as he removes his bracers.

He continues to undress taking off his lynothorax and she stares at him examining his moves. He lets the piece down and half lies on his back inviting her to rest her head on him and be enwrapped in his embrace.

Instinctively, an alarm rings in her brain.

"Stay with me. We can rest unwary."

It's very late. Her eyelids feel heavy, tiredness has taken the best of her. She silently agrees moving closer to him. He kisses the top of her head.

"Are you staying in the area for a while? I have missed you." He asks in a careful low voice, just above a whisper.

She keeps her eyelids closed, rubbing sleepily her face against his skin. "I can afford one more day of inconsistency." The next words come out of her mouth chewed, faded, barely recognizable. He manages to catch what she utters as she falls asleep. "I ma-de lon-g way... 'cause mi-ssed ya."

A wide smile spreads over his face and he places a last soft kiss on her head whispering a goodnight.

The first sun rays reach the earth and Brasidas wakes up. He feels the heat and the weight of Kassandra's body on him. His lips curve. He listens carefully for movement at the camp. It's still early, most are sleeping judging by the quietness.

His eyes scan her face. She is so beautiful, he thinks. He considers himself lucky, opening his eyes and her being what he sees first. She really worths the numbness and soreness in his left hand and body. He traces her jaw line with his fingertips softly and places a gentle kiss at the top of her head. The only response is a small shift at her breathing and not much else. A smile settles on his face. He whispers her name as his fingers travel down her neck and her shoulder.

She hums and blinks at him. She is too tired to get up and if she had the luxury, she would never leave his arms. His patience, his understanding, his intention to compromise, are incredible. She is eventually relieved and happy after many stressful months. He is more than she could wish for.

"Good morning." She utters with eyes half open.

"Good morning sleepy cat."

She adjusts her body higher and places an arm over his chest in a hugging gesture. He reaches her lips for a single gentle kiss and settles back again. Both enjoy the moment, their first shared morning.

Her lips curve into a smile. She breathes in his scent and her palm traces down his torso and pauses at his abs feeling them over his chiton. She wonders how he looks without it, only in his zoma like most Spartans favor in summer. He is lean and strong but she wants to see his bare chest, his skin, his scars.

Lifting her head, she places soft kisses on his neck. She casts a glance at his flushed face and her smile widens. He is motionless whereas she detects his craving. His eyes glisten with the same glow of the previous night. She passes her fingers through his beard and rubs his chin.

He sighs and buries his face into her hair. "I hate to say it, but you had better sneak out before everyone is up."

"You are right." She rises up in a quick jolt. "I'll see you tonight at the forest west of here."

Brasidas gets up as well. He picks out his tent while Kassandra fixes her braid. Her eyes wander on his figure. Red suits him. When he turns around to tell her that there is no one out, she crashes her lips on his for a last deep kiss.

"I will be there at sunset." He promises before she turns to leave.

. . .

Notes:

Some may find Kassandra's insecurities stupid or confusing, but I thought it would be realistic at first. Well, we see Alexios as Deimos having many issues, of course, it's understandable. He grew up without a loving family. We all suspect, he was tortured and beaten, raised to be a warrior like no other, etc.

However, we have never given serious thought what the older sibling would feel, in this case Kassandra. She was a child when it happened. At an age young enough to be heartbroken and old enough to fully understand and sense the betrayal. Personally, I find it hard to believe that any child wouldn't have even small trust issues after such an incident. We must not forget that she grew up alone, I don't think Markos was much of guardian. He may have had an even worse effect, as he was using her for his own benefit.

Anyways, we aren't going to swing back and forth all the time, but I felt like she should be still a bit doubtful as our Bras had not clarified he is taking their relationship serious, before. (Small damage Thaletas had a part in). Anyways, we advance while she leaves such doubts behind! Yay!

Lastly, for the record, Nikolaos IS Kassandra's real father. No Pythagoras and Atlantis here. (It kind of ruined the main story in the game) No incredible superpowers, just a very strong and skilled warrior!

I hope you enjoy. For any comments, corrections, opinions and disagreements, feel free to write a review or send a PM. Thank you all.