Part 4: Prometheus Bound

Regulus: What?!
Regulus: 23 Drachmae?! You're having me on!
Regulus's cry of surprise echoes far and wide, startling a few seagulls perched on the rooftop.
The young girl frowns viciously and lowers her voice.
Regulus: Look, mate. I'm not asking for the bleeding moon here; I just wanna know where my APPLe is ...
Regulus: Or are you trying to pull one over on me? Even a whole bottle of fruit wine is only a sixth of a Drachma!
The bard rises to her feet, plucking the strings of her lyre with a smile.
Bard: My friend, what you're searching for isn't just any ordinary apple—it's a magical talking one.
Bard: Which means I will need to attend the celebration if I want to find it. After all, an apple as enchanting as Eris's banquet gift that brought Ilium to its ruin—could only be used as an offering to the gods.
The appeal to Greek mythology falls flat as it hits Regulus's ears. For whom only the stories of the gods of rock have ever held interest.
Regulus: Yada-yada. Whatever you say, love. All I know is, what you're charging is daylight robbery!
Bard: You may be right.
Bard: But you won't find a better offer; not many people in my trade would trust an outsider who might just run off after I do my part.
Regulus: We won't ever do that! You can ask after Captain Regulus's reputation anywhere from the Thames to the high seas, and—
Familiar footsteps break up their tense negotiations.
Kassandra: Euphonia, remember that sneak you pointed out to me before? I need some extra hands to ...
They turn around and find a tall and strapping mercenary standing in front of them.
Kassandra: Oh, it seems you have another customer. I'll leave you to your work.
Bard: Not at all ... Welcome back, Eagle Bearer. I just didn't expect to see you so soon!
Bard: But did you say you need some extra hands? ... Let me think ... Eureka! I've got a plan ...
The bard murmurs to herself as a flash of inspiration crosses her mind.
She clears her throat and takes Regulus in one hand and Kassandra in the other with an amiable smile.
Bard: The fates have surely strung us all together for a reason!
Bard: You've come to ask about that weird magic apple—one quite likely to be used as an offering in the Dionysia.
Bard: And you, Kassandra, that strange man you asked me to investigate ... he claimed to be a craftsman repairing the Temple of Dionysos ...
Bard: I will hazard a guess that you've come because you need more hands to search out his co-conspirators.
Regulus: Hang about, you don't mean ...
Bard: You are a clever one, miss! I do believe you will be able to assist one another.
Kassandra: Malaka, I knew it!
Fully aware of how cunning the bard is, Kassandra shakes her head. Time is running short—she must come to terms with the necessity of her situation.
Kassandra: So, then we're all going to the Dionysia in order to look for someone.
Kassandra: It shouldn't be too hard to look for a talking apple while I'm there.
Regulus: Cheers, love! And we'd be happy to help with ... oh, erm ... Vertin, what's your take on this?
Regulus winks at the mercenary, who seems to appreciate the idea of some extra eyes on the festival.
Vertin: Are you the one they call "Eagle Bearer"?
Vertin: We've heard people singing of your exploits all over Athens.
Vertin: They say the Eagle Bearer is a valiant hero, always willing to help those in need—a friend one can entrust their life to ...
The mercenary braces her hands against her sides and clears her throat.
Kassandra: You two certainly aren't from around here; that's obvious.
Vertin: ... Huh?
Kassandra: Everyone in this city knows; there's no amount of flattery that will affect my price.
Vertin: Apologies, I've given you the wrong impression. I only meant to ask if the tales we've heard are true. I hope our cooperation can be built on mutual understanding.
Kassandra raises an eyebrow, surprised to be doubted by the very woman who had just praised her.
Kassandra: It seems you've heard of my work already.
Kassandra: I am Kassandra, the Eagle Bearer, and if you had any doubts, I will readily prove all that I am capable of.
She reaches out a hand to the girls.
Regulus: The name's Regulus, and this is Vertin.
She happily reaches out to grab Kassandra's hand.
Regulus: Alright then, so how exactly are we going to help you?
Kassandra: Simple.
Kassandra: For now, all I need is more eyes around the city; do whatever pleases you, but keep a lookout for anyone suspicious.
A twinge of nerves creeps up Regulus's spine.
Kassandra: Athens is flooded with visitors in anticipation of the Dionysia; I won't be able to track every potential threat.
Regulus: Right, well ... How do you know we aren't suspicious?
Kassandra examines the two figures; their modern clothing cutting a bizarre contrast to the world around them.
Kassandra: I couldn't even begin to guess where you two are from.
Kassandra: But that means you are most certainly not from Sparta, Korinth, or Phokis.
Kassandra: Which means you probably aren't here to kill Perikles.
Regulus takes a moment to digest this new information, before letting out a gasp.
Regulus: W-What! Kill Perikles?!
Regulus: Wait-Wait a tick, are you asking us to keep our eyes peeled for ... bloodthirsty assassins!?
Kassandra: There's no need to be alarmed.
Kassandra: I only need you to be my eyes. Just do as I say, and there will be no danger.
Regulus nods out of courtesy and whispers to the girl next to her.
Regulus: Vertin, old pal, old chum, mate—I think we ought to reconsider this whole gig.
Vertin: Let's just get this done, chum.
Her calm demeanor blunts Regulus's fears, but soon after her attention is captured by distant singing.
Vertin: Huh, what's going on ...
The procession makes its way toward them, surrounded by a parade of people singing and carousing through the streets.
Drunken Passerby: Welcome to Athens—
Drunken Passerby: Have a toast, friends from afar!
Regulus: Is this that party you mentioned?
Kassandra: The Dionysia, yes. You couldn't have picked a better time to blend in.
Kassandra: And if you have time ... to have some fun.
Vertin: We'll do our best to look for anything that might point to danger.
Regulus seems to have only heard half of Kassandra's words.
Regulus: Have some fun ... But what about Mr. APPLe ...
She lowers her head, facing down a great dilemma.
Regulus: Forget it, parties can wait! I'll do whatever I can to find you, Mr. APPLe!
Her voice fades into the growing festivities.
Regulus: Vertin, you've got to vouch for me on this!
Regulus: Dionysia, here I come!!!!
Kassandra: Follow her, Vertin, and stay vigilant.
Kassandra: I have my own work to do.
Vertin: Understood.
Regulus: Vertin, look at this pottery! Wouldn't something like this be a killer-diller in your lobby?
Vertin: ...
Regulus: Oh, and what do you think about this linen piece on me? I guess it's only suited for summer sailing.
Vertin: Ahem, Regulus, what happened to all that conviction from before?
The festival is full of attractions and distractions for the rocker pirate.
Festival Merchant: Hello ladies, how would you like to paint your very own festival mask?
They follow the sound of the barker's voice and discover an assortment of materials spread across the table—wood, leather, willow branches, rattan, minerals, and insect dyes in a variety of colors.
Vertin: Sorry, but we're a tad busy at the moment—
Regulus: This is fab!
The festivities once again ensnare Regulus's attention.
Regulus: How about it, Vertin? Come on! Think of the attention! We'll be as famous as I was back when I was hosting APPLe Radio!
Regulus: My fans were bonkers! They'd crawl over glass for a signature! We sure could use some of them right now.
Festival Merchant: Haha, please come and try.
Regulus: Just you wait, mate. This rockin' pirate is about to make a one-of-a-kind superstar mask in no time!
Regulus leans back to appreciate her "masterpiece," unaware that their new mercenary friend has returned.
Kassandra: Nothing unusual around the Dipylon Gate and the Temple of Erechtheion. What about—
Kassandra is speechless upon seeing their two peculiar masks.
Despite having crossed the Aegean far and wide and meeting many innovative poets, dramatists, and sculptors, she'd never seen anything quite like them.
Kassandra: It's not exactly what I'd call an effective disguise.
She removes her mask and helps Regulus with hers.
Vertin: I believe this may be a bit too fashion-forward for this era.
Kassandra seems about to question her choice of words, but is interrupted by another round of cheering from the crowded street.
Vertin: ...!
The cheers grow louder as the crowd sings and sprays fruit wine into the sky.
Maidens in elegant dress balance fruit baskets filled with offerings on their heads; while the procession waves blazing torches in the air.
Kassandra: No need to be startled. The Dionysia parade is just getting started.
Kassandra: By the time they reach the agora, it will be even more lively.
Kassandra: But that means the streets will be packed with people—a perfect opportunity for anyone with ill intent.
She deftly moves through the pulse of the crowd and waves her hand to the ladies behind.
After a clear eagle cry, Kassandra is nowhere to be seen.
Kassandra: You watch the streets and I'll cover the high places.
Kassandra: This is certainly a party ...
Kassandra: ...
Kassandra: Regulus, Vertin!
Regulus & Vertin: ?
Kassandra: Is that the strange apple you've been looking for?
Regulus: ...!
Kassandra: I think I've found him.
Kassandra: Unfortunately, it seems he is about to fulfill his duty to Dionysos, as one of the sacred offerings.