Chapter 9

(BCE Kassandra POV)

We had a conversation while we headed to Drucilla's workshop from the temple.

"These bows'll make me rich as Kroisos." She said.

"They're that good, are they?"

"War's brewing. The Athenians need good bows if they want to hold off the Spartans."

"Everybody benefits, I guess." After I said that, I regretted it because it made me sound like Markos.

"Who are you, Markos? You should be tired of this small–time shit. You'd make a fortune in this war. Plus, I hear you're a secret Spartan."

"That was a long time ago. I'm a Kephallonian."

Getting to the workshop, Drucilla looked at me, saying, "Hand it over."

I handed my broken bow to her, and she took it to her workbench. Sometime later, she returned with my bow looking like new and gave it to me.

Smiling at me, proud of her work, saying, "There you go, good as new! That bow is as strong as Herakles himself. Give it a try."

I took the bow and shot a couple of arrows at the straw targets Drucilla had set up. After finishing testing the bow, I talked with Drucilla again.

"Fair is fair. Are you going to get my wood? Those fucking bandits need a thrashing." She said.

Answering her, "Fair is fair. I'll fix your wood problem."

"Finally. Markos sure is lucky he's got you as his scapegoat." I could not help but think she was right about that.

"Any idea where these bandits are?" I asked.

"I'm not a tracker, I'm a bowyer. They're in the mountains somewhere – that much I know. I'd check close to the lumber camps."

"I'll take care of the bandits."

"Make sure that you do, and be quick about it."

"I'll deal with these bandits and get you the wood you need as fast as I can. Have patience, it won't take long." I said, sensing her frustration.

She scuffed at my remark, saying, "If you knew how long Markos has been feeding me excuses, you wouldn't be saying that."

Hearing what she said, I could not help but curse Markos for again dumping his troubles on me after making them. After our conversation, I got on Phobos and rode to the lumber camps from which the shipments were coming.

After riding for a few minutes, I got to where the shipment was attacked. Getting close, I thought, 'Here's where the ambush happened. I should look around."

I dismounted from Phobos and checked the area for any clues. Investigating three different spots with clues, I knew where to start looking.

I head West to find the camp of bandits since they should have stayed close, leaving the cart behind. After finding an area where I think the bandits are camped, I called on Ikaros.

The bond between Ikaros and me allowed me to see the bandits and the lumber they plundered. Finding my target, I attacked the camp with assassinations, arrows in the face, or just some brute force.

Finishing off the last bandit with my spearhead in his mouth, I withdrew the spear. Cleaning the blood of the spearhead, I walked out of the camp heading for Phobos.

Mounting Phobos, I rode back to Sami to Drucilla's workshop. Returning to the bowyer, I dismounted and talked with her.

"Oh look, it's Markos's mighty champion. Don't tell me you actually did what I asked?" She said sarcastically.

"I tracked the bandits and sent them to Hades. Your wood should arrive in town soon."

"And you expect me to believe the word of a mercenary?"

"I didn't expect you to believe me, so I brought this," I said while thinking she is a real piece of work.

While getting out a piece of wood from the stolen shipment showing her, Saying, "Here's your proof. A sample of the special wood you want so badly. These bows you're making had better be worthy of Apollo. For all the trouble I've gone to."

Happy, she took the wood from me, saying, "By the gods! You sure you work with Markos? He's never once delivered on a promise. Incredible!"

"I might work with him, but we're nothing alike. I'm true to my word." I said with some disgust.

"Then take your pay. Give none to Markos."

I then left the bowyer head to the docks to meet this friend turned business partner of Markos. I thought, 'I wonder who would be stupid enough to do business with Markos.'

Walking through Sami, many people greeted me, and I greeted them. After all, it is a small island, and Sami is the only big city in Kephallonia.

Getting to the dock, I see the shipwright named Telemenes working on his latest boat. I approached him, saying, "It's a fine ship, Telemenes.

"Kassandra! She is that, ready to ride the waves for the right captain… and the right price. Thankfully I sold it to a person coming in today by ship.

I was surprised he had sold it already, asking, "How much did it take for you to part with her?"

"Oh, couldn't let her go for less than 100,000. The person did not even try to negotiate the price either."

"100,000! Who has that much?"

"Someone who's serious about buying a ship. You think craftsmanship like this is given away?"

While we talked, three ships sailed close to the dock. Two of the vessels surprised Telemenes.

"Wow, I thought I would never see such a fine war trireme around Kephallonia. The other ship has magnificent craftsmanship and an excellent war trireme."

Telemenes and I walked over to the dock where the ship was docking. The gangway was placed, and many fully armored men came on land.

Right behind them, a man walked into sight, which just shocked me. Before I could pull my eyes away from the man, I heard Telemenes say, "Dominus Drakos, welcome to Kephallonia!"