Flickering lights dance over the temple's reliefs. Below them, figures dart between the Maenads and Satyrs.
Regulus: These the weird things you were talking about, Kassandra?
She lowers her voice, talking as if she were an old friend.
Regulus: Cor, look at these! Ladies dancing, beastie boys grooving to the music, and who's the bloke with the naff hat ...
Regulus: If I didn't know any better, I'd have guessed he was some kind of Greek god of rock'n'roll!
Kassandra: cough
Regulus: Are we sure we haven't messed around with time and space here?
Vertin: This is a temple to Dionysos, who was, among other things, a god of joy, passion, and chaos. It's little wonder his reliefs would reflect that.
Regulus: Right then, so he IS a proper rock god, just thousands of years early. Give or take ...
Her enthusiasm hits Kassandra like a wave against a steady ship.
Kassandra: ... I'm not sure I understood anything you just said.
Before she can continue, a ribbon swaying in the breeze catches her attention.
Kassandra: ...!
She grasps the ribbon in a swift motion and slices it through.
Worm-like patterns coil and twist along the ribbon.
Regulus: Hey, don't look at us, mate! We didn't do it!
Kassandra: Of course you didn't; we only just got here.
The marks on it leave a fresh ink stain on her finger.
Regulus: Not that I'm above a bit of vandalism, but what's your angle?
Kassandra: Quiet.
Kassandra: These ribbons are not decorations.
Kassandra: They are desecrations.
Vertin: These symbols are similar to the ones on Perikles's bounty.
Kassandra: That cannot be a coincidence.
Regulus stares in silent disbelief as she reads the value of the bounty. Though, being Regulus, her silence doesn't last.
Regulus: Bounties and puzzles could wait!—Mr. APPLe can't! First priority is rescuing him from this spooky place.
Regulus: Who knows what they've done to him!
Kassandra: We'll look for your friend soon. First, I need to scout out the surroundings; I'm not sure it is safe here.
She crouches low to the ground, running her fingers along the marble floor.
A faint trail of footsteps guides them toward the inner sanctum of the temple.
Kassandra: We aren't the first visitors here tonight.
Vertin: It's difficult to say how many have come through; the prints are too jumbled.
Kassandra: No one is supposed to be here after the tributes have been laid in the inner temple. Not until the statue returns after the Dionysia.
Regulus: That means whoever's up ahead is up to no good, right?
Kassandra: It's possible.
She eases her steps into a silent crawl.
Kassandra: Stay behind me.
Regulus: No need to worry about us, love. We can handle ourselves.
"Craftsman" I: Be careful, Timon! Don't break those pots! What if the Eagle Bearer noticed! She's as sharp-eyed as her eagle!
"Craftsman" I: How stupid can you get, Aristion?! Is this the first time you've used a reed pen?! That charcoal powder isn't cheap!
"Craftsman" I: We're doomed if we upset Deimos!
"Craftsman" II: I don't mean to interrupt, Lysias, but ... all that shouting isn't doing any good.
Kassandra: Agreed.
Faster than the west wind, she brings her spear up to the craftsman's throat.
Kassandra: Maybe my ears deceive me, but you don't sound much like craftsmen.
"Craftsman" II: E-Eagle Bearer?!
Kassandra: Nor killers for that matter. Not professional ones, anyway.
Her words sound colder than the edge of her spear. The hostage can't help but shiver.
"Craftsman" II: W-We are craftsmen! We're here to repaint the temple for the Dionysia—
Kassandra: Save your lies. What you are doing here has nothing to do with the Dionysia.
Kassandra: Now, who is your master? Speak!
"Craftsman" II: You, you—
He grips his file aggressively; before either can react, a gnashing order is barked from within the darkness.
"Craftsman" I: Malaka, kill her!
COMBAT
The battle is over swiftly.
The Spear of Leonidas easily tears their disguises away, revealing familiar black cuirasses and gloves.
Kassandra: I know this armor. You are from the Cult of Kosmos.
"Craftsman" I: You're making dangerous enemies, Eagle Bearer.
He dons a hideous mask.
"Cultist I": None dare oppose us ...
"Cultist I": ... who value their lives!
He reveals a hidden axe and brings it down toward her.
???: Hold.
A cold voice rings out of the darkness.
???: Leave her to me.
Kassandra: That voice ... I should have guessed, Alexios.
Alexios: "The mercenary with the broken spear," do you still wear that title, sister?
"Cultist I": Deimos, forgive us, we've failed ...
Alexios: Get out of my sight, all of you!
"Cultist I": Y-yes ...
Kassandra: You surprise me, Alexios. I didn't think you'd stoop so low.
Alexios: I told you to stay out of my way, Kassandra.
Alexios: Yet here you are.
Kassandra: The cult has deceived you. You don't know what it means to kill Perikles.
Alexios: I know that he has defied us!
Alexios: And that whoever stands in the way of our plans must pay the price.
Kassandra: ...
Kassandra: You can't bring peace through destruction, Alexios.
Alexios: You cling to your loyalties so blindly.
He walks down from the platform, retaking his sword while observing his surroundings.
Colorful banners have been draped from the ceiling down to the ground. Pots and flagons litter the temple floor. It appears the cultists left in a hurry.
Kassandra: I won't let you kill him, not while I still draw breath.
She squares up to him and readies her spear.
Alexios: ...
They stand at odds; each ready to strike. But the expected attack never arrives, as Alexios breathes out a long-held breath.
Alexios: This is the last time I spare your life.
A smoke bomb explodes between them. Kassandra catches a final venomous look on Alexios's face before he disappears.
Kassandra: ...?
Her brother's strange and sudden mercy weighs on her mind only a moment before a distant shout refocuses her attention.
Regulus: Help! Kassandra!
APPLe: Captain ... Vertin ... I'm here ...
The fruit, now fully immersed in honey, manages to sputter out a plea for help.
The thick sweetness drips all over his shallow basket, which has attracted a few birds that flit about it looking for a snack.
Kassandra: I know exactly who to call.
The Eagle Bearer looks up at the sky and raises her arm. Within half a heartbeat, they hear a piercing cry echo between the temple's pillars.
Ikaros: Scree!
APPLe: Mr. Eagle, please mind those claws; I have delicate skin!
APPLe: Oh ... my thanks.
The sweetened fruit is pulled into a warm hug.
Regulus: Good to see you again, First Mate! I was starting to worry I'd have to read your obituary out on Radio APPLe!
APPLe: The rumors of my death may have been exaggerated, Captain.
APPLe: I should feel quite put out if I couldn't join the 27 club with you.
Regulus: Too right you should! You aren't allowed to die without my permission!
As Regulus returns to the ground with her partially embalmed first mate, she gives Kassandra a hearty tap on the shoulder.
Regulus: So, what should I name your thank-you performance? I've got some fab ideas already—
Regulus: The Heroine and the Screech of Night, Whispers on the Edge of the Temple: Love and Courage Dancing in the Moonlight; or The Dark Night of Freedom, The Stars and the Eagle Bearer Guide Us ...
Kassandra: A show? You're naming a drama after me?
Vertin: Don't mind her. Thank you for the help, Kassandra.
Kassandra: Don't sell yourselves short. You've already done a great deal to help me.
She pats down her sleeves, trying not to give too much weight to her actions.
Vertin: Nonetheless, we'd like to do more than just help you with spotting clues.
Vertin: In fact, if you don't mind, we'd like to join your investigation to repay your kindness.
Regulus: Too right! Mr. APPLe is always going on about all this Greek stuff! With that great honking big brain of his, we're sure to be of help!
Kassandra: Even though you are all very, very strange ...
Kassandra: I do think we work well together.
Several hands are placed together in a moment of sincere warmth.