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As the Adrestia sailed through the dawn, the transition from night to morning was swift and beautiful. The ship cut through the water, leaving a clean, silvery wake behind them. By the time the sun fully breached the horizon, the ship was near the Kirrha Ship Dock, the port city of Phokis.
Kassandra stood at the railing, watching the docks come into view. Merchants and sailors were already beginning their morning bustle.
"I remember mater's stories of Kirrha and the Sacred Wars," Kassandra murmured to Alexios, Lukas, and Phoibe, who stood beside her. "I wonder if she ever came here."
Alexios, leaning heavily on the rail, shook his head. "No way, Kass."
Kassandra turned, confused. "Why are you so sure?"
Alexios took a deep breath, the fresh sea air steadying him. "Because before we sailed to Kephallonia, we were in Korinth. While we were there, we ran into one of the Cult's members, the Monger. Just like Elpenor, he was fanning the flames between Sparta and Athens."
He continued, his gaze drifting back to the approaching port. "In Korinth, the Monger ruled the city like a tyrant. Luckily, we ran into an old friend, Dorian. He's a wandering brother, a fellow brother of the camp, who was staying there. He filled us in on how to take down the Monger easily. With the help of the locals, we successfully killed the Monger and his men."
He paused, a flicker of something amuse crossing his face. "Then, coincidentally, Dorian's lover, Anthousa, knew our mother. She said Myrrine stayed in Korinth for a period of time. She even tried to fight the Monger, but at that time, the locals didn't dare to resist. Myrrine ultimately failed to bring him down but successfully left the city after winning a ship in a wager—the Siren Song."
Kassandra listened, her eyes widening. Her mother, fighting tyrants, winning ships, and causing trouble—it sounded exactly like the Myrrine of her own memories.
"Anthousa also mentioned that our mother joined Xenia, the 'Queen of Pirates,' and suggested that if we ever have time, we should go to the pirate island and ask Xenia about her."
Kassandra gave a slow, proud smile. "Well, that certainly sounds like mater, alright. And just like her to join the toughest company around."
As the Adrestia docked, the sudden absence of motion signaled their arrival. Atlas started looking around the Kirrha dock market, which, even in the early morning, was already lively—merchants shouting, goods stacked high, and the scent of fish and spices heavy in the air.
Atlas clapped his hands once for attention. "Alright, listen up, everyone. This is a port of entry to the main sanctuary, so efficiency is key."
He turned to the captain. "Barnabas, check the supplies. If we need more, buy some, and treat the crew to some wine and meat—use the treasure we got from Megaris. You and the crew can move around, but don't stray too far. We don't know how long we are going to stay here. Phoibe, you can stay with Barnabas."
Phoibe immediately pouted, planting her hands on her hips. "What? I'm staying on the ship again? But I wanna come with you guys!" she complained to Atlas and Kassandra.
Atlas and Kassandra exchanged a helpless look. Kassandra knelt down. "Phoibe, you know you can't come. We are heading into dangerous work."
Barnabas let out a hearty laugh. "Don't worry, Phoibe! The fun is here!" He winked at the girl. "Later, I will go to the Temple of Apollo to see the Pythia in person. You can come along with me for sightseeing and hear Pythia talk about the future."
Phoibe instantly changed, her face lighting up with happiness. "Yay! Talk about the future!"
Barnabas burst into laughter, satisfied with the immediate change in her mood.
Before leaving, Kassandra warned them both:
"Barnabas, Phoibe — be careful. Please."
Barnabas placed a hand over his heart. "We'll be like shadows, Kassandra! Quiet, careful, and respectful!"
Phoibe nodded rapidly. "I'll watch Barnabas!"
Barnabas froze. "Wait—"
But Kassandra was already walking away, preparing her things with the others
The four—Kassandra, Alexios, Lukas, and Atlas—began to gather their things and prepare to set out. Before leaving, Kassandra warned Barnabas and Phoibe to be extra careful, and Barnabas promised they would be.
The four slipped into the chaotic flow of the city. They hadn't wandered far when Alexios nudged Kassandra, pointing subtly down a busy street.
There, wandering through the city, were men wearing the iconic silver masks and silver armor, clearly indicating they were from the Cult of Kosmos. They were not hiding.
The four companions pulled their hood edges slightly lower and melted into the shadows of the nearest alley. Alexios gestured to Atlas: What should we do with them?
Atlas shook his head slightly, indicating they should watch for now. He then pulled the scroll he had taken from Elpenor back on Kephallonia, quickly reading some of the contents.
"It seems Elpenor had a safe house here in Kirrha," Atlas whispered to the three. "We should check that out first. Maybe we will find something there to discover the Cult's actual gathering place."
Lukas frowned, confused. "Didn't the scroll say the meeting will be held beneath the Sanctuary of Delphi?"
Atlas explained patiently. "It is indeed said that, Lukas, but the Sanctuary is huge. We don't know where exactly 'beneath' is. Elpenor's notes might contain a precise map or better instructions."
Alexios and Kassandra instantly realized the logic and nodded, falling in behind Atlas obediently.
After asking a few guarded questions to locals and taking several twists and turns through the residential streets, the four eventually found Elpenor's house. They saw that three masked Cult Guards were circling the house, their patrols predictable and slow.
Atlas gestured to the others to pretend to admire the scenery. The three understood and theatrically began to look up at the architecture, looking like tourists lost in admiration. While they distracted the guards, Atlas used his Eagle Vision to scan the interior of the house, confirming no one was inside, only the three guards outside.
Atlas then signaled them to follow and walked slowly toward the house, keeping his pace casual. As the masked guards outside were chatting with their backs momentarily turned, Atlas seized the opportunity and sprinted silently toward the house, followed by the others.
The four successfully slipped inside and closed the door without the masked guards noticing the slight movement.
Atlas immediately whispered. "Split up. Start searching for useful information. Focus on scrolls, maps, or coded ledgers."
The four quickly split up, sifting through the stacks of documents. Some scrolls were useless—simply market inventories or personal memos—which they tossed aside. Others were useful, detailing Cult members' movements and activities across Greece.
After a while, the four finished their search, having gathered a small bundle of important papers. They quickly left the house, merging back into the bustling streets just as silently as they had arrived, leaving the masked guards circling an empty house.
The sun climbed higher over Kirrha, illuminating the road leading toward the mountains…
Toward Delphi.
END
(PS: Please support me on patreon there 135+ chapters there and there also my new GoT: The True Dragon Fanfiction of Game of Thrones
https://patreon.com/BX_XDS)