The sun was setting, and the sea was calm after a long day of sailing. The white ship was sailing near the shores of Arcadia, the last inhabited point before the waters that were considered the unofficial borders of Athens.
Linus stood on the deck, watching the horizon, and said to Romulus:
"We are getting closer… but not there."
Romulus replied with a faint smile:
"Athens is not just a city; it is a test. You don't reach it with oars, but with preparation."
*
In the island's small port, the crew disembarked to replenish supplies. There, Darius encountered an old shipwright carrying an old nautical newspaper.
"Read this… If you are heading toward the capital, know what awaits you," the man said, handing it to Darius.
On the front page, there was a large headline:
"De Mauret Expands His Influence in Athens... Melos Faces Increasing Internal Pressure"
*
The crew gathered around the newspaper, reading the details:
- The French Marshal has begun to control the subsidiary ports.
- Perdus, the investigator, is facing obstacles in his investigation.
- Silverus, the military commander, is beginning to act independently.
- Madus, the advisor, is growing more and more mysterious.
Callias slammed the newspaper with his fist, saying, "Athens is seething... and if we enter it now, we will burn with it."
Linus replied, "That's why we won't enter it... but rather watch from the shadows."
*
That night, Linus met with Romulus and Darius in the storeroom.
Linus said, "We won't reach Athens now. Not because we can't, but because we don't want to be used as a pawn in a conflict we don't yet understand."
Romulus replied, "Then what is to be done?"
Linus said, "We need to know everything. Who's moving, who's plotting, who's betraying. We'll build a surveillance network, making every island and every port our eye."
*
The crew began sending men to nearby islands, disguised as merchants, fishermen, or ordinary sailors. Each one carried a mission:
- Gathering news.
- Monitoring De Mauret's movements.
- Finding out who was supporting Melos... and who was waiting for his downfall.
*
At the end of the week, one of the men returned with a coded message from inside Athens, written by one of Perdus's collaborators:
- "The city is divided. De Mauret is planting his men on guard. Mados is meeting with unknown figures at night. Melos is hesitant. Perdus alone is trying to keep the truth alive."
*
Linus read the message, saying,
- "So Athens isn't ready for us... and we aren't ready for her."
Darius replied,
- "But we're getting closer... step by step."
*
That night, Linus stood on the prow of the ship, staring at the horizon, where distant lights shone.
He said in a low voice, "Athena... we will reach you. But when we do, you won't be the same... and we won't be the same."