[b]”Is it wise to go towards our gallows?”[b] Amphitryon lamented, following his brother all the same. He had hoped to die under the influence of the vine, now with a hangover.
The party makes their way to the capitol building, hot on Circe's trail. They rush through the streets of Corinth and into the capital building. This time there are no guards in the front. They run towards the room with the mirror and open the door. They find Circe inside in front of the mirror.
"Mirror, mirror, on the wall eh? What's the play here fellows?"
"Hello?" Kyronai calls out to Circe?
Circe turns around at Kyronai's voice. "You have been far too kind to me, which is why I didn't want you to be here. It is already hard for me to go back, harder still if there were friends here that I would miss."
"I think you have a few hours yet before you need to return. Where are the guards?"
Polyoinos nods his garlanded head;
"Aye Queen! Listen to our gloomy Kyronai... Stay a awhile longer. Let us all drink and make merrier!"
Kyronai believes Circe to be honest and genuine.
"If I stay any longer, I will not want to leave. The guards tried to stop me from getting in, so they have a few hours to sleep it off. They are fine if that is what you are worried about."
Kyronai has reservations, but the worry of unjustly accusing Circe of even more wrongdoing holds his tongue. He merely nods.
”I have little in the way of wisdom for someone who has but lived my years, let alone what you possess. Whatever your choice, I wish you well.”
"Thank you. You are far better friends than I deserve." Circe takes a deep breath and casts the ritual. Moments later, she is no longer there and in her place is King Jason. The king of Corinth has bags under his eyes and is very visibly tired. "Is the city still in one piece? What has Circe done?" He asks desperately of the party.
"If she's done anything, it was in secret. Everything appears to be fine."
Polyoinos shrugs his meaty shoulders, with a wistful grin;
"Ho-ho. Nothing much to tell. We drank, we sang, we slumbered, then did it all again. For a forlorn Queen of ill repute, Circe made for a good companion in gayety and salacious behaviour King Jason!"
"Well I hope you are right. In any case you did your job so I will make sure that you are paid as we agreed. Corinth and all of Greece thanks you for your efforts." As promised, the party is paid 4000 gold for their efforts and you may all rest for the time being.
Kyronai bows. "Thank you, Your Highness. I am glad that this situation didn't turn out more sinister.
"How did you fare in Circe's realm?"
"Ho-Ho! This is case for celebration I think! A feast perhaps? Or wine and debauchery my friends? What say you!?"
"It was a little harrowing but I was able to find a place to weather the storm. I had to deal with some bandits but nothing I couldn't deal with."
"Welcome back."
"We should have told you about the town where perhaps you could have stayed. Apologies.
"Is it true what she told us? That her only crime was to be loved by a man who was loved by Hera? I wish there was something we could do for her.
"Alistair, too, I suppose."
"I do not know about that. I only know that she angered Hera and was punished. I personally would not trust anything that witch says."
”I believe that the Fates smiled upon us all here. A fine line was walked, and while I do not know if glory was won, honor was certainly earned. I believe that a few days of wine and relaxation are in order.” Amphitryon said with barely concealed relief.
"Isn't that always your suggestion?"
Polyoinos arches a brushy brow, then shakes his garlanded head at Varocles;
"Ho-ho. Our Shadow Champion has the right of it! To the Victors - the Spoils!"
The rotund skald chuckles, then drapes a meaty arm o'er dwarf and warrior each;
"My friends... We should imbibe, indulge and imbibe some more... to honour our honour and to tell tales of our adventures to any who would listen and marvel!"
The party leaves the capitol building in Corinth and spend the next few days relaxing. Jason arranges free room and board for you at the local tavern. One morning however, Amphitryon is woken up by a knock on the door to his room. When he answers it, it is the tavern owner. "There's a chariot outside for you and your friends according to the driver. First, King Jason, and now someone from Athens. Must be nice..." He trails off before taking his leave.
Kyronai heads downstairs to see the chariot driver.
"My brother and our other companions will be along shortly. Where in Athens do you wish to take us and why?"
"The Hall of Olympieion, the capitol building. One of the gods wants to speak to you directly it seems. I was given the missive this morning. There will be someone waiting for you when we arrive to guide you."
"Ah.
"Which one?"
Kyronai thinks for a moment before looking at the driver again.
"I suppose this is mandatory?"
The drive shrugs. "I guess you'll find out when you get there. Mandatory? I suppose nothing is, but I wouldn't turn down an invitation from one of the gods."
Vaorocles shrugs, "sort of depends on which one, really. Can't hurt to go listen, I suppose."
Once the whole party is ready, you are driven back to Athens and are dropped off at the capitol building. You are greeted by a woman, who seems to have an unearthly beauty about her. "You are the heroes that were sent for, yes? I am sure you have many questions but make them quick as we do not want the patron waiting for long." She says as she starts walking into the building.
"Who, exactly, is the patron?"
Polyoinos notes the young woman's approach and runs a meaty hand through his ribboned beard;
"Greetings and salutations fair maiden. Would it be remiss to ask who we are to see? And of course if you would be free for a amphora or two later?"
| 1 person marked this as a favorite. |
Amphitryon silently nursed a hangover. He cursed the sun for being so bright. He cursed Polyoinos for being so loud. He cursed wine for tasting better the more it was drunk. He cursed himself for waking up. But it seemed like they were going to be paid, so she had his attention.
The woman turns her head back at Polyoinos' blatant flirting. "Working for the gods is a full time job." She replies before turning back and continuing her stride. "You have a meeting with the King of the gods, Zeus." As you walk through the halls, you notice a lot of creatures, both mortal and immortal busily working. Either furiously scribing or transporting paperwork to and fro. None of them pay any mind to you as they go about their day. Finally after a few minutes, you end up in a room. Sitting behind a desk is a large bushy bearded being, glowing with deific energy. The only thing that would make it more obvious who it was, is if there were a lightning bolt in his hand. "Greetings! Please sit down! Now I know who you are but feel free to introduce yourselves to me anyway!" He says in his big booming voice.
Varocles chooses to believe Zeus when he says that he knows him. He has heard too many stories of mortals that offend the lord of Olympus, and he will not insult his intelligence by giving him extraneous information, so he just replies, "Varocles, loyal priest of Poseidon."
Polyoinos takes the measure of the god before them, then bows theatrically;
"My Lord Zeus... I am Polyoinos; Beloved of Bacchus. Scion of a Satyr, Woo'er of Amazons and Drainer of Casks."
Kyronai nudges Amphitryon to go first. Afterwards, he introduces himself as "Kyronai, his brother." He holds his robes to his chest with one hand and gives a brief but respectful bow.
"Strong and silent type? I like it!" Zeus gabs as everyone but Amphitryon introduces themselves. He then waves his hand and the door closes. "Now first I'd like to congratulate you for that whole situation with Circe. And this is a little awkward, but I'd like to know what you know about that whole situation?"
"Well, I'm certainly not the right one to be telling such tales Your Stormliness."
Kyronai's impassive face becomes even more guarded, if possible. He's suddenly suspicious about a known womanizer asking about his wife's jilted lover's mistress. He nods in agreement with Varocles' statement.
"We only know what Jason, Circe, and Circe's lover have told us. Which is different perspectives of a similar story," Kyronai offers.
"Well who do you believe? You have my word that you will not face punishment, divine or otherwise."
"With all do respect oh patron of the Panhellenic games, while I respect your authority and majesty, I am beholden to your brother the Stormlord."
Kyronai looks around uncomfortably at his silent or begging off companions before facing Zeus again.
"Well, I don't believe any of them. Or disbelieve them. King Jason's reasoning for slaying Circe seemed unjust and was separate from her supposed crime. Circe's and Hera--*ahem*--Circe's lover Alistair told a slightly different tale than we were told, and, again, his actions were separate from what King Jason asked us to do. Circe's minions implied that she had ill intent, but she is in a prison plane, so we had to take prisoners' words with a grain of salt. In the end, Circe is understandably angry at her punishment. But she listened to reason and opted not to wage war. And again, her actions and plans in the prison plane are separate from whatever caused her to be imprisoned there.
"The only consistent observation across nearly all perspectives of this tragic tale is that Circe did not deserve death, and even her imprisonment did not fit her actions.
"But in the end: Who do I believe? I don't have to believe anyone. So I didn't."
Kyronai's eyes shift around the room uncomfortably after he's done before he gives a short, awkward bow.
"Smart! I like it!" He chuckles. "Off the record, I agree with the results. Most other adventurer's wouldn't have thought about it at all and executed Circe, or at least tried to. Which is why I called you here. I want you to work for me. The simple fact is Greece needs heroes and most of the good ones are retired or about to be. The pay is good and there are even benefits. I've even already talked it out with Bacchus and Poseidon and they're on board if two of you are concerned. Interested?"
Yes. Yes yes yes.
"Um, we would have to confer."
"Well, if milord Poseidon is onboard, then of course I'm in."
”What did I drink last night...” Amphitryon muttered, as he stared in disbelief. ”This has to be a dream.” He pinched himself, and when he didn’t wake up her hurriedly said ”I would not dare refuse.”