Kassandra: Those so-called craftsmen were from the Cult of Kosmos.
Kassandra: But they weren't here to destroy the temple. They only left some strange signs and patterns.
Kassandra: The same symbols that were on the bounty.
Regulus: So then that bounty came from the cult too!
Vertin: So then, we know at least to look around for those symbols.
Kassandra: That would be wise.
Vertin: There's still no sign of them ...
Kassandra: There was no sign of them in the Agora, Plaka, or the Panathenaic Way ...
Kassandra: I'm beginning to doubt myself; what did we see there? Could it really have been my brother?
Vertin: It seems like there is no one else bearing those symbols near the Theater of Dionysos.
Their discussion is halted by the sound of huffing soldiers and groaning prisoners.
Regulus: Girls, lookie here at what I've found. A bunch of goons with those odd symbols!
Regulus marches toward them like a successful hunter, followed by a cadre of Athenian Evzoni.
Her prisoners slouch in after them; their hands tied with wet ropes.
Evzone: Well met, Kassandra. Hopefully we can be of help.
Kassandra: Wait, what's going on here?
Kassandra: Who are these people?
Regulus: Did I miss a mic check or something? They are the bad guys!
Regulus: And thanks to this rockin' pirate captain, now they're our prisoners.
Regulus: Good thing I ran into these Calzoni lads; they said they were only too happy to help us protect Perikles. Though, their methods are a mite rough.
Kassandra: Quick as a blade, you have the makings of a fine misthios, Regulus.
Vertin: I just hope she didn't cause too much trouble.
Kassandra: We'll have to uncover that for ourselves.
Vertin: Fine.
Regulus: Vertin, my true and reliable friend, my best mate, did you really doubt me?
They turn to the suspects together.
Vertin: First, I appreciate your cooperation with us at this time.
Vertin: Now, we will proceed using logical deduction to determine your guilt or innocence. All we need to know is who among you has any relationship with the Cult of Kosmos.
Vertin: Let's begin. You there.
The person called raises his head with a fearful look in his eyes.
Suspect I: Ladies! I-I confess—
Suspect I: I was watching some of the rich merchants on Hesidon Street; I saw these symbols and wanted to record them.
Suspect I: But I'm not a part of any cult! I'm just a clumsy painter.
Vertin: ...
Kassandra: He's no cultist. Leave him to the Evzoni.
Kassandra: Next.
Vertin: A festive oil lamp for ... three Drachmae; festive wine ... 50 Drachmae, and a festive lyre for ... 600 Drachmae ...
Vertin: Could there be something behind these records?
Kassandra: Let him go, Vertin. He isn't a cultist.
Kassandra: He's just a cheat.
Suspect II: I-I didn't commit any crime!
Kassandra: No, all you've done is put "Festive" before the name of each of your wares so you could double or triple the price? Eh, Sotirius?
Kassandra: We misthios bleed and sweat for every coin we earn. While you win your coin with deceit.
Kassandra: Don't let me see you doing this again, or ...
She pats the spear on her palm and motions for the man to be escorted out by the Evzoni.
Vertin: And our next suspect is ...
APPLe: Over here, ladies.
Kassandra: APPLe?
Regulus: The very same. Unfortunately, not even my closest and best mate is above suspicion.
She holds back true grief in her voice.
Regulus: I don't even know what Mr. APPLe went through in that evil fruit basket, but I can only hope that we can set him right again.
APPLe: But Captain, this is just some honey and syrup that got stuck on my skin.
APPLe: Not a secret mark from some cult.
Kassandra: It is doubtful that the cult would take in an outsider so quickly—
Kassandra: —Especially an outsider like him.
Regulus & APPLe: ...
Their suspects prove to be a dead end.
Vertin: Kassandra, you already captured a suspected cultist, right?
Kassandra: Yes, but he hasn't said anything of value and I don't think he knows much to begin with.
Kassandra: Except ...
She takes out the unsharpened file once more.
Kassandra: I had hoped that it would give me something to find the source of this conspiracy, but now we know it is connected with the Cult of Kosmos.
Kassandra: So, there is nothing more to be learned from him. Anything he tells us now will be out of fear of punishment; he's unreliable.
Vertin: ...
A thought strikes her.
Vertin: You mentioned that there were others there with the assassin? Did you catch anything else before they ran?
Kassandra: A little, yes. Though not enough to determine their plans.
Kassandra: Something about a "Sage" ... Wait.
The same spark leaps to her as memories return.
The Rookie "Actor": So, how are we supposed to read these messages when they come? The Sage explained nothing to us ...
The Wise "Playwright": ...
The Wise "Playwright": That's none of your concern, fool!
The Rookie "Actor": Seems like you don't know any more about the Sage's plans than I do.
Kassandra: So this "Sage" is giving them orders.
Kassandra: But we don't know who he is—
Vertin: We don't need to know.
She lets her statement rest for a short moment as she composes her plan.
Vertin: If I'm correct, all we'll need to do is claim the Sage is here ...
Vertin: ... They're so disorganized they may not know we're bluffing.
The plan is presented confidently, and the listening APPLe bobs in agreement.
APPLe: That's very devious, Vertin. A bit of guile worthy of Odysseus.
Vertin: And you, Mr. APPLe, may come in handy, as we'll need your skill in Athenian performance.
Vertin: Would you kindly share your skills with us? I have a feeling it will help our investigation immensely.
The seasoned mercenary takes in their words carefully.
Kassandra: So, you're suggesting that we perform some sort of drama to lure these cultists out?
Vertin: Yes, precisely. The cultists seem to be awaiting special orders. So let's give them what they're waiting for.
Kassandra: I'm no actor. But ...
Kassandra: Why not?
Vertin: Then let's get started. We need to make this look believable. So, Kassandra, you'll need to bring us to the prison.
Kassandra: How fun. Follow me.
Regulus: What?! Prison again?!
The "actor" had not expected any visitors.
The Rookie "Actor": Who are you?
Vertin: You are Domitius, correct? I've been assigned as your Logographer, to assist you with your trial.
Vertin: The Archons have accused you of being a member of the Cult of Kosmos, do you accept your charge?
The Rookie "Actor": The Cult of ... I-I have no idea what you're talking about!
Vertin: I see. And you're sure that you have nothing to do with them?
The Rookie "Actor": Of course! I would never be a part of that horrific cult!
Vertin: Of course not.
Vertin: I've made my decision; I believe this man is innocent.
The strange-looking advocate raps her hand on the wall, and soon a familiar face appears.
Kassandra: Domitius.
The Rookie "Actor": It's you! What are you going to do with me?!
Kassandra: I'll tell you what I'm going to do, I—I'm going to release you. It was my mistake ... your arrest ... brings shame to the Polis ...
Vertin: To all of civilization, really.
The Rookie "Actor": ...?
Kassandra: So, I will make things right.
Kassandra: Not only will you be released, but we will also publicly declare you innocent of your crimes.
Vertin: I've prepared a declaration saying that you, Domitius are not a member of the Cult of Kosmos, and that you completely and thoroughly repudiate their actions. Which is why, when you discovered this bounty, you immediately surrendered it to the Archons.
She makes a great performance of his supposed innocence.
The Rookie "Actor": What, but I-I didn't ...
Kassandra: In fact, all thanks to you, we uncovered the cult's plot and even managed to capture a key member.
The Rookie "Actor": A key member ...
Kassandra: No need to be afraid, Domitius. We're interrogating the mastermind at this very moment.
The Rookie "Actor": You don't mean ... the Sage?
He murmurs the words out in disbelief.
Kassandra: Ahem, and just think, Domitius, it was all because of you. We found the clues in your bounty sheet and broke your secret code.
She waves the file in her hand.
The Rookie "Actor": But how did you decipher it? Ebatous hadn't told me how to read the scytale—
The unfinished words stick in his throat.
But it's too late.
APPLe: Scytale? If my memory serves, it was a tool that Spartans used to encode their messages.
Rather than pain, the sound coming from next door turns into cheers.
The captured "mastermind" appears around the corner.
The Rookie "Actor": A flying apple?! No, you mean you—
Kassandra: Finally, we can end these theatrics.
Kassandra: Did you discover what you needed to, APPLe?
APPLe: Knowing that it is a scytale solves one major hurdle. However, we will still need the key to decipher it ...
Kassandra: Well then, it seems like we still have some use for you.
They all fix their sight on Domitius.
The Rookie "Actor": Quit staring at me! I've figured out your game; I'm not talking!
The Rookie "Actor": I won't tell you anything—!
