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The tavern had gone eerily quiet. The smell of spilled wine still hung in the air, mingling with the tension. Locals whispered from the corners, their eyes darting between the four figures standing amid the wreckage — Kassandra, fierce and fuming; Alexios and Lukas, bruised but unapologetic; and Atlas, calm as still water.
Atlas glanced around at the overturned tables and groaning thugs before exhaling softly.
"Let's talk somewhere else," he said. "Preferably somewhere that isn't collapsing."
Kassandra folded her arms, still glaring at Alexios. "You have a talent for causing disasters, don't you?"
Alexios shrugged, flashing a grin. "Depends who you ask. I call it excitement."
"Excitement," she echoed flatly. "That's one word for it."
Atlas turned toward the Thermopolia's owner. "Again, my apologies, friend. The damages should be covered. I'll make sure it's taken care of."
The owner, Menon, sighed as he looked around at the wreckage. "You'd better. The tables are shattered, the amphorae are cracked—by the gods, even the chairs look afraid! Although," he muttered with a reluctant smile, "I can't deny they saved my skin from the Cyclops' men."
Alexios puffed up his chest proudly. "See? We helped!"
Menon shot him a flat look. "You helped me lose half my furniture."
Atlas chuckled softly. "We'll make it right. Come on," he said, motioning to the others. "Let's get out of here before this place falls apart completely."
Kassandra hesitated but finally nodded, bidding Menon farewell. "We'll talk later, Menon. I'll help repair what I can."
"You always do, Kassandra," the man replied, smiling wearily. "Just keep those two out of my tavern next time."
As they walked along the winding dirt path leading toward the sun-drenched hills, the air was rich with the scent of wild thyme and grapes. Cicadas buzzed lazily in the trees as the road curved through olive groves. Kassandra walked ahead, the broken spear strapped to her back catching the sunlight. Her steps were long and purposeful, boots kicking up small clouds of dust.
Behind her, Atlas, Alexios, and Lukas trailed in an uneven line.
Alexios leaned closer to Lukas, whispering just loud enough for Atlas to hear,
"She's got fire, that one. Reminds me of those Spartan women — all steel and glare."
Lukas smirked. "She's got patience too. You've been talking nonstop since we left the tavern, and she still hasn't gutted you. That's impressive."
Alexios put a hand over his heart, mock-offended. "What do you take me for, Lukas? I'm a gentleman."
"Gentlemen don't start tavern brawls because someone looked at their wine the wrong way," Lukas replied dryly.
"That was different! He spilled it first!" Alexios argued.
Ahead of them, Kassandra's voice carried back over her shoulder. "You two planning to talk all the way to the vineyard? Or should I fetch a bard to narrate?"
Lukas chuckled. "Careful, Alexios. She's already listening."
Alexios grinned and called back, "Can you blame us, Eagle Bearer? It's not every day we meet someone who can swing a broken spear like that."
Kassandra glanced at him briefly, one eyebrow raised. "Flattery won't make me forget you wrecked a tavern."
Alexios shrugged, unfazed. "Worth a try."
Atlas, walking a few steps behind them, hid his amusement behind a calm expression. He studied the two of them quietly — their matching tempers, their confident strides, even the way they threw their heads back when they laughed. It's almost eerie, he thought. Same blood, same fire… family bonds really are extraordinary.
Alexios rubbed the back of his neck as if shaking off a strange feeling. "You know," he said to the others, "there's something about that Eagle Bearer that feels… familiar. I can't explain it. Like I've met her before."
Lukas grinned wide. "Maybe you like her."
"Don't be ridiculous," Alexios scoffed, though his ears turned slightly red. "I'm just saying she's… different."
Atlas chuckled softly. "Different enough to knock sense into you, maybe. Try not to provoke her, both of you. She looks like she could kill us before breakfast and still have time to eat."
Kassandra slowed her pace just enough to glance back at them, smirking. "You'd be surprised how quickly I can multitask."
Alexios blinked, caught off-guard. "She heard that?"
Lukas grinned wider. "You're loud, Alexios. A deaf goat could hear you."
Atlas sighed, shaking his head with an amused smile. "And this is why I travel alone when I can."
They walked on, their laughter mingling with the hum of the wind through the vineyard hills. Somewhere ahead, the faint sound of Markos's shouting carried through the air, a chaotic promise of what awaited them next.
By the time they reached the vineyard, chaos greeted them like an old friend. Goats bleated from the rooftops, amphorae lay scattered across the dirt, and somewhere amidst it all, Markos's voice boomed out in frustration.
"Move faster, you lazy fools! Dionysus himself weeps at your incompetence!"
Kassandra pinched the bridge of her nose. "By the gods…"
When Markos spotted her, his face split into a grin. "Ah! My brilliant partner returns! Did you collect the debts? And look — guests! Wealthy guests, I hope?"
"Not now, Markos," she groaned. "We need to talk about you borrowing money from the Cyclops."
Markos froze, eyes darting nervously around the yard. "How did you—? Wait—did you see him? Did he follow you? Oh gods, where is he?" He began peering behind barrels and wagons like a frightened child.
"Markos," Kassandra warned, voice sharp. "You really borrowed from that thug? Again? When are you going to stop this foolishness?"
Markos stammered, "It was an investment! For the vineyard! You have to spend drachmae to make drachmae!"
"Or lose your head," she muttered darkly.
Before she could scold him further, Atlas stepped forward, calm and composed. "Nice to see you again, Markos."
The man spun around and broke into a wide smile. "Ah! You again! My investor! I knew you'd return with more money. What can I interest you in? Grapes? Goat milk? A small island, perhaps?"
Atlas smirked faintly. "No, thank you. I'm not here to invest. I came to meet your misthios and proceed with our agreement."
Kassandra turned sharply. "What agreement?" Her tone dripped with suspicion. "Markos, what did you do now?"
Markos puffed up his chest proudly. "I found you a job! A fine hunting job — well paid, respectable work! Here, look!" He fished out a small pouch and handed it to her with exaggerated flourish.
Kassandra narrowed her eyes and untied the pouch, counting the coins. Her brows lifted. "Fifteen gold drachmae? That's… generous."
Atlas rubbed the back of his neck, expression twitching slightly. He glanced at Markos — who was suddenly looking very interested in a passing cloud — and sighed.
"I should probably mention," Atlas said carefully, "that I paid thirty gold for your service."
The air went still.
Kassandra froze mid-count. Markos's forced grin began to tremble.
"Markos," she said slowly, dangerously, "where's the rest of the money?"
Markos let out a nervous laugh. "Hahaha! Kassandra, my dear, I was just—uh—testing his honesty! See? He passed! Hahaha!" He scrambled to pull the remaining coins from his robe and held them out with shaking hands. "All here! See? No harm done!"
Alexios and Lukas burst into laughter, nearly doubling over.
Alexios wiped a tear from his eye. "Hahaha! Your companion is really something else."
Kassandra groaned, rubbing her temples. "You have no idea. I should've let the Cyclops eat him years ago."
"Hey!" Markos protested. "That's no way to talk to your business partner!"
"Former business partner," she shot back.
Atlas watched the exchange with amusement. "Well, now that the finances are settled," he said, "perhaps we can discuss the actual hunt."
Kassandra nodded, still glaring at Markos. "Fine. Let's talk inside. And Markos—" she tossed him the small pouch of coins Duris had given her, "—that's the debt from Duris. Paid with interest."
Markos blinked in surprise. "Oh! Wonderful! We're rich again!" He spun toward Lukas. "Tell me, my large friend, have you ever considered investing in vineyards?"
Lukas snorted. "Not if you're running it."
Markos pouted. "You wound me!"
As Kassandra led the three toward the house, Atlas glanced once more at Alexios. The young man still looked oddly thoughtful, glancing back at Kassandra's retreating form.
"I can't shake it," Alexios muttered. "That Eagle Bearer… she feels like someone I should know."
Atlas smiled faintly. "Perhaps, someday, you will."
And with that, they followed Kassandra inside — unaware that destiny had just brought brother and sister together again.
END
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