"We're not fans of hers," Varocles interjects, "now don't hold back friend, and tell us what you know."
”You can trust him. When do dwarves lie? Everyone knows that they’re allergic to it.”
Polyoinos eyes the lad with one bushy eyebrow raised;
:
"Interesting question lad... As for our motivations, our doughty dwarf has the right o' it. We'll risk a life as swine to deal her the destiny we carry...
:
"If you're here to hurt her, then I am sorry I cannot help you. She deserves better than to be wrongly punished only to be slaughtered by some mercenaries." Alistair turns around to leave.
"Why?" Kyronai speaks up. "We are not here as mercenaries. We were told that she is a threat to the outside world. If we've been told wrong, please help her and enlighten us."
"Whoever told you that is either lying or mistaken. Long ago in the days of Homer's Oddyssey she most certainly was, of course. But that isn't who she is now. Do you even know why she is trapped here?"
Polyoinos, pauses from his course to listen then smiles;
"Kyronai has the right of it lad. If we are being sold a fable, or only hearing a sonnet without the lyre then please tell us all you know of Circe..."
Teledoros listens intently to Alistair's tale of Circe.
"Well most likely the latter but I would not be surprised for the former. Follow me." Alistair leads you out of the building and over to another one. He opens the door and enters gesturing for you all to have a seat. He opens a cabinet, taking out a jug of wine and serves all of you. "Like most denizens here, Circe was sent here after angering a god. Or rather queen of the gods, Hera. But it wasn't an act of hubris or defiance that did it, but it was love. You see, Hera decided she wanted to have a love affair with a mortal much like her husband has done for most of known history. But one day this man met a woman and the pair fell in love. The man knew it would upset Hera who he did care for, but the heart wants what it wants. Even after the man found out that the woman he was in love with was Circe. He didn't see an evil witch bent on cursing every man to live as a beast, but a woman who needed love and just wanted to live in peace." He stares wistfully into his cup as he takes a sip.
"A tragedy, to be struck down and imprisoned for living out your passions. Hera is ever jealous and vengeful. Perhaps we should speak to Circe. Our most gracious host, how have you found yourself in this land?"
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Varocles waits patiently for the other foot to drop on this story.
Polyoinos nods in agreement;
"Indeed Teledoros... A Greek tragedy no less! Ha!"
The robust skald coughs to himself then continues;
"Ahem. My fair minstrel friend has the right of it... We should speak to Circe directly, for Bacchus himself was the recipient of Hera's spite, this we should bear in mind."
"Do you know the name 'Jason?'" Kyronai asks Alistair after he answers Teledoros' question.
Alistair looks up from his cup to Teledoros. "I broke Hera's heart." He then turns to face Kyronai. "Jason of the Argonauts? What does he have to do with all this?"
Teledoros sighs dramatically. "Ah, then you know all too well the pains of love. I'm sorry you've been abandoned so, perhaps you can join us when we leave. My companion mentions Jason because the hero is concerned about Circe's power and vengeance."
"Unfortunately the only way I can leave is if a god frees me or something agrees to take my place. Besides, I deserve to be here. I not only broke someone's heart but I doomed Circe here in the process." Alistair takes another sip from his drink. "Well she is similarly trapped here as well so there is nothing to be worried about. But I do not blame her for being angry. She tried to live a happy life and she gets trapped here for eternity as a result."
”A not all together uncommon tale. The gods don’t exactly work in mysterious ways.”
Thinking, Kyronai speaks slowly.
"If... if you were to be free... even for a short time. Would there be anything you could do to free yourself permanently? Is there anything Circe could do?"
"Not that I know of beyond those two things. Circe most likely could given her power but I imagine many heroes would be called upon to stop her if she were freed much like you were."
”Only if anyone knew. I doubt many people know what she looks like, just her name. Would it not be better to free her and say that she was defeated? With proof given, all would be for the better. So long as she lies low. And perhaps travels.”
"Anyone who's ever faced her would know. Regardless she is stuck here as anyone else here."
"I think we ought to talk to her in any case."
"Well I suppose I cannot stop you even if I tried. She has conjured a castle west of here. You should not be able to miss it. I suggest you let the follower of Bacchus speak for you assuming you like being men."
Polyoinos chuckles, and claps Alistair's shoulder with a nod;
"Rest assured lad I will speak for our company when we parley with Queen Circe... Women drink of my words like honeyed mead!"
He pauses, mulling his words before questioning with a ribald tone;
"I sense that your own words hold a veiled warning Alistair. Are my companions in danger of losing their status as men... or worse their collective manhoods?!"
"I would hope you are that silver-tongued. If you speak the wrong words, Circe could get the wrong idea and think that you were sent there to harm her. And you know what she is famous for."
"I sense that your own words hold a veiled warning Alistair. Are my companions in danger of losing their status as men... or worse their collective manhoods?!"
"He means that she might turn us into actual swine."
Kyronai turns towards Alistair and bows slightly.
"Thank you for talking with us. Sorry about your doors."
"It is alright, doors can be repaired."
Polyoinos nods, then grins;
"Swine indeed - how could I forget! Our thanks Alistair... for your insight and hospitality."
He then bows his garlanded head and makes for the exit;
"Ho-Ho! West we go my friends!"
After they have left, Kyronai shares an observation:
"I'm detecting a them in our adventures. First Treborus hired us to retrieve his daughter, and we ended up fighting to protect her decision. Then we were tasked with destroying the wizard Galen, who offered us employment instead, which we considered. Now, Jason has asked us to destroy Circe, yet we find ourselves sympathetic to her plight."
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"Maybe we're just not good at this?"
Polyoinos nods, clapping Varocles' shoulder;
"Alas I think it less to do with our competence, and perhaps more to do with the melancholy fate of things Master Seaworthy. With the gods nothing is ever what it seems, and so too the fickle fates they construct for us..."
He wistfully looks to the clouds then his companions with a wry smile;
"Of course, the legends also love a rebellious mortal who throws off the shackles of his destiny, so we should forge our own paths and to Hades with them all eh!?"
Varocles shrugs.
As the party makes their way west as per the instructions, after about an hour they notice the clouds give way to extremely bright sunlight. With that sunlight, the temperature starts rising up considerably and quickly.
Amphitryon soldiered on through the heat as if though it were nothing. He was, however, a bit less perceptive than usual due to the brightness of it all.
:
:
Polyoinos strides out, grinning like a loon but paying little attention to what goes around him...
Everyone save Teledoros is able to weather the heat. Amphitryon and Kyronai spot a group of figures off in the horizon walking towards the party. They seem to be roughly a mile away.
Kyronai glances around to see if there is a more defensible spot for the party to meet with these potential allies.
Kyronai sees very little in the way of defensible spots.
As the group waits to be approached, the figures become much more clear. The first that you notice is that of a large half-spider half woman. Walking beside her is a young man in fully armed and armored. When they see you, the man calls out as he draws his sword. "Stop right there unless you want to be fed to my friend here." Which prompts a glance from his companion.
Polyoinos hails the strangers back;
"Greeting friends! Rest assure'd we have no inclination to be dined upon by your companion. However should you wish to slake a thirst, please join us in some wine and conversation!"
"No wine for now. Tell us who you are and why you're headed to the palace. The Queen is not expecting any quests."
"We are unexpected," Kyronai admits. "We are hoping that she will talk to us."