"No, my lord," she answers and bows her head.
With that, she will seek to reconnect with Callie and eventually Kyronai in hopes to establish what they will be doing for the next little bit until leads on Zagreus will resurface.
Aika meets back up with Callie who eagerly awaits the former's findings. "So did you clear everything up? Captain Argus only lost his job and not his life then?"
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"You were right. It's as you said, the worst offenders even get incarceration. AND I was confused. When Zeus had mentioned a Captain who had messed with the party, I assumed he had meant Captain Argus, since he kind of extorted us. I guess it was Glaucetus he was referring to and that Poseidon was so enraged with. Never mind me! Hah, that guy got what he deserved. You should have seen Amphitryon devastate him. It was like a flash of lightning..." she lies with a feigned chuckle. "I was just being foolish. Anyways...I'm sure Argus has sailed on to better and less hostile waters. I can't imagine what it must feel like getting fired from the gods...I would go the rest of my life wondering if I were cursed!"
"So...You'll let us know when you have something?"
"Oh ok. Strange that Zagreus would even mention that. In any case, I will let you know when I have something. Though having half of the team go off on their own is not good, I will see about at least acquiring a spare agent or two at least temporarily. Unless you have any candidates in mind? You would be the ones working with them, after all."
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Somehow Kyronai was both expecting and was surprised by his brother's departure. He couldn't help thinking about when it was he who tried to say goodbye to Amphytrion. His brother surprised him by opting to stay with him, but now the roles are reversed, and where Amphytrion is to go, Kyroni cannot follow. He is supremely happy for his brother despite the new god's misgivings. But he is sad that they can't be a part of each other's journeys any more.
*********
She looks to Kyronai for assurance, if he wishes to join her he too can come to Zeus's chamber.
Kyronai does join Aikaterine when she returns to Zeus. Although he understands her being distraught at the murder of Captain Argus, the witch does not have anything to ask or add about that topic.
When Aikaterine has finished, Kyronai clears his throat to indicate he also hs something to bring up.
"I appreciate that this is a delicate topic, but it is very much related to our hunt for Zagreus. The main issue is that our magic had no effect on him, and neither did our weapons. It was similar when we encountered Diskord: she could not be harmed... until Ares struck her first. Something about his attack made her vulnerable to mortals."
Kyronai pauses before choosing his words very carefully.
"Will we... gain this ability? Or something similar? To use when we track down Zagreus?"
Aikaterine flashes pleading eyes to Zeus, hoping he can have the patience to remember that Kyronai is on his side. It was a good question, and something they have to deal with.
"Well it stands to reason that mere mortals cannot harm gods. Which makes Zagreus pathetic attempts to give godhood to his mortal followers make sense. A god can only be slain or weakened enough to be slain by another god. As of right now, since the new god of the decided to do something else, your only hope is Aika currently. But even then it would require her to develop her powers further."
Picking up on some sort of tension in the room, Kyronai merely nods in understanding of Zeus' reply.
Later, when it's just he and Aikaterine, he'll ask her, "What sort of abilities or protections have you gained since absorbing Diskord's divinity? Can you be killed by mortals?"
Aikaterine is thankful that Kyronai knows when to keep his mouth shut. She can recall her previous experiences in here with Varocles and Zeus. Thankfully, in both instances, Zeus has had patience. She has learned his passions can be a bit of a tipped scale if properly enraged.
She would invite him to her room later that night to discuss what they were going to do and how to handle things if Callie can't come through. That night, at the small windowside table in her room, she looks across it to Kyronai.
"I believe so. Though that is becoming less of a reality...," she confesses about her potentially dying. "If I, Aikaterine the elf, were to be standing in a field with a bull...and he rushed and gored me, I would most likely die there in that field. Now...Aikaterine the Goddess of ...well this chaos within me...I feel like...I would have to be hit and gored by a much larger and more dangerous bull. And I would not bleed out so quickly." She shifts uncomfortably. "However, I wouldn't want to put that to the test. It's just how I am feeling about myself. She places a hand on her chest, as if to say she's speaking from the heart.
"As for abilities...where do I begin. I have lost a great deal of sense of who I was. I can still read magic and learn it, but I have forgotten just about everything I knew. Even my spellbook have become magically corrupted. I was forced to destroy them. I now have a new one, but I also don't need it, if that makes sense. I'd say I'm somewhere between what a sorceress would be and a wizard. What I can do is ever changing, but right now, I feel like I could change minds, weave illusions, and even cause others to become scared...even to the point of death!"
"I am not sure what I should do to take the reigns of this. I sort of feel like I'm along for the ride. I know I'm changing...a little more every day." She tucks a loose strand of her now-white hair behind her ear. "I am still myself though..."
She then explains further:
"Other than that, I feel healthier, more empowered in my magical control, and I'm still able to do a fragment of what I used to be able to do. Enough to be of use in combat still." She will demonstrate by sneaking something off of his belt and into her hand. She then will hand it back to him.
It does not take very long for Callie to find another lead as you are summoned back the very next day.
"Well the good news is, we have our next lead on a Promethean sighting. Whoever it is, they are on the isle of Rhodes. Bad news is that it is from an anonymous source picked up by another scout. Also we were not able to find any replacements for your team. So unless you have made some friends, it will just be the pair of you. You can leave as soon as you are ready."
The remaining party once again sails to the Isle of Rhodes. The sea is calm for the short voyage. At one point, a school of dolphins swim alongside, almost putting on a show for the pair and the crew. Before the island even comes into sight, the famed Colossus of Rhodes seems to greet the travelers.
As the crew gets closer, the large automaton looks over the ship before resuming its guarding stance. The ship docks without incident and the pair are dropped off. Captain Sao Feng informs the pair that the ship will be back in two days as they have another assignment in the meantime. Once off the ship, the pair are greeted by a guard.
The tall lanky guard casually walks up to you. "We do not get many visitors on the island. Please state your business."
Kyronai subtly shows the guard his badge.
"We are from Athens regarding matters for the Olympians. Please take us to your captain or whomever is in charge. Discreetly."
"...And by discreetly, if anyone asks, you can say we are tourists. Who does not wish to view this Wonder of the World while it lasts."
Being so long-lived, she's seen a few things she'd call wonders of the world that later were destroyed.
Because Aikaterine is not hiding her unique nature any longer--at the suggestion of the others--she appears as herself; a stunning creature of white, pale skin with flowering porcelain-like blue swirls on her skin. It is clear to the guard that she is a goddess, even if she does wear a veiling robed dress. It a beautiful dress, but is designed for flow (as most Grecian wear is). The robe is thin (almost see-thru), and drapes over her shoulders. It bears a light pink and white coloring. One could guess it is for travel on the seas in non-winter months. The dress underneath is just as fitting for Aikaterine sneaking as it is for her standing there on the docks looking extremely appealing.
"It must be serious for the Olympians to send their own agents to our little island. I will take you to the king. I am Agron, second-in-command here on Rhodes." The man replies as he takes you from the docks and into the city. Aika draws plenty of attention from the locals but no one says anything. The pair do notice that there is some disrepair on most of the buildings as if a battle was recently fought here but otherwise it is business as usual.
Agron takes you past the city square where the Collossus stands guard. The giant automaton looks down at you as you pass but resumes its vigilant watch. After a short while, you come upon a large building, smaller than the castle on Crete but more substantial than a normal home. The pair of guards let you all inside. The interior, much like the rest of the city, is fairly damaged but has plenty of artwork and decorations in an attempt to hide it. You are lead to the largest room which has obviously been turned into a makeshift throne room. On said throne is a fair haired, strapping young man, being fanned by some lovelies while also being fed grapes.
"My lord, apologies for the intrusion but they claim to be agents of Olympus sent here for an important task." Agron takes a knee out of respect before turning to the group. "Agents of Olympus, this is King Alexander the Great."
The king stops his leisure and waves for his servants to cease. He stands up and puts a fist to his chest out of respect. "Great is an overstatement, just call me Alexander. Now what can a humble warrior king like myself do for the gods and their agents? "
Kyronai bows to King Alexander, both hands placed on his chest as he does so. When he rises, he says, "Thank you for your welcome, your highness. It would be best if we could talk in private."
Whether or not Alexander talks privately with them or not, Kyronai continues:
"We have come to your island to address a threat to Olympus and to its allies. A group known as Prometheans, led by the demi-god Zagreus, have found a way to bypass the gods' immortality to harm them or worse. They also make strategic attacks to remove the gods' allies or enslave soldiers.
"We believe that there is Promethean activity on Rhodes."
Aikaterine greets Argon with a nod of her head. She can feel the eyes of the crowd upon her. Some are filled with desire for something so beautiful, some with fear at the unknown, and some with intrigue. Regardless, she is a topic of discussion among the crowd for a few minutes.
She will introduce herself to Argon as well as eventually to the king, "Greetings, Alexander. I am the goddess Aikaterine, this is Kyronai, agent of Olympus."
Upon entering private quarters, she comments in addition to Kyronai:
"Yes. A grave threat to many. You speak like a Greek, Alexander. You should know, that these Prometheans killed your allies, the Spartans by manipulating them into horrific alchemical manipulations and undead necromantic experiments."
Alexander waves his staff away so the trio can be alone. "These Prometheans seem very bold if they want to take on the gods." The king raises his eyebrow when Aika introduces herself. "An actual goddess in my throne room? I feel honored. To take down Spartans is no easy task though for these villains. What exactly do you need from me?"
You have heard of him, though you don't remember much at the moment.
Kyronai cuts his eyes over at Aikaterine when she announces herself as a goddess, but he tries to hide any other indication of surprise.
"What exactly do you need from me?"
"For now, we need information -- if you have any -- regarding the Prometheans, any other new or dissident organizations, or for any unusual recent events.
"We'd also like freedom to conduct our investigation, which would be made easier with a guide or similar local assistance."
Kyronai will have seen her act confident in the past. As she states she is a goddess, while she is confident in her words, he alone may notice her body language indicates minor discomfort at the words. Not like she is lying, but she is also not a braggart. There may be something else at play here.
At the witch's words, she affirms that it too is her desire for these things with a nod.
"Yes...anything out of the ordinary. No matter how small it is. It might be something worthy of note based on our past experiences," she simply adds to Kyronai's "unusual recent events", knowing that sometimes kings can overlook minor details.
"Well, there are a small band of rebels who have not taken to my leadership well. They've raided the market and have injured a few of my soldiers more than a few times. Might they be connected? You can accompany some of my guards on a patrol. It isn't much, but it is a start. Perhaps tomorrow morning at first light? But I do defer to the goddess in the room of course." King Alexander nods his head with a flirtatious wink at Aika.
Unless Aikaterine has anything to add, Kyronai thinks patrolling with the guards is a good place to start.
Aikaterine blushes slightly at the wink. While not tempted by him, his brashness catches her off-guard.
"I think that sounds fine. We will find somewhere to stay in your city and will meet with your troops in the morning."
The pair are easily able to find a room in the city, though the innkeeper refuses to charge them. The night passes uneventfully and the guards meet them in the morning as agreed to. They are informed that the guards have been given orders to take the pair to patrol the western side of the island.
A start contrast to the city, outside of it is full of life and vegetation. Seemingly untouched by war or even mortal interference, the flora and fauna thrive as if ignorant to the people living right next to them. The small group, consisting of Aika, Kyronai, and the pair of guards; a greek human named Pietro and an Egyptian orc known as Teth carefully walk through the forest.
There are few sounds other than the occasional chirp of a bird or a chitter of some small mammal. It is perhaps an hour or so before the party sees anything of note. Entering the edge of a clearing, the party spots an unusual sight. An elven woman with shoulder-length blonde hair and long pointed almost antennae like ears is picking mushrooms. Clad in only a dusty pink chlamys and a pasty yellow chiton, she wields only a basket though there is a sling and strapped to her back. It does not seem likely to be the insurgents the king mentioned.
The guards do not look particularly happy to see her as Teth mutters a curse word under his breath.
As you are picking mushrooms as you came up with a perfect idea for a summer salad, your ears perk up as you hear footsteps from the other side of the clearing. You can tell that they have spotted you but they have yet to do anything as of yet.
The elven woman looks up and gives a start so violent a couple mushrooms go flying from her basket. Her wide eyes dart from the two guards--with perhaps a flicker of recognition--then to Kyronai, and then to Kyronai's bow. Her gaze finally settles on Aika, on whom it lingers longer than the rest. Her lips fumble over several apparent ideas for syllables before settling on an unimaginative, "Oh!"
She climbs to her feet with a clumsiness born of nerves, fixing her cloak and brushing dirt and bits of moss from her knees. "G-Good morning! I'm sorry, I, um... I didn't expect to run into anyone else on the trail today." She bends down and starts retrieving her scattered harvest. "Especially not servants of the Gods! Right here in my backyard and everything!" She gives a fragile little laugh. Again, her eyes dart to Aika as she says 'servants', a question on her lips left unasked. The question she does pose is much less interesting. "Are you h-having a nice walk? Or, well, patrol?"
Looking questioningly at the orc who cursed, and then turning to Daphne, Kyronai responds.
"Yes, it has been nice so far. How do you know who we are?"
While his bow is strung and in his hand, he makes no motion to nock an arrow or even raise the bow. His other hand is hidden by the voluminous sleeve of his robe.
"... Well, I have eyes." A smile flickers across her face. "Sorry if you were trying to hide it, but I don't think anyone's gonna mistake you guys for nobodies, now, are they?" Her eyes drift meaningfully over the very-obviously-immortal Aika. Her hand fumbles about blindly before settling on a lost mushroom and returning it to her basket.
Aikaterine is thankful to the innkeeper and would pay a gold coin regardless for "drinks and meals", which the value of which would obviously include more than just these cheaper elements.
The elf will meet up in the morning with the guards and listen to the itinerary for the day. With their vague information given, it's not like she has any better clue as to what is happening. She will wear a hooded robe so the looks are less directed toward her on their path.
She observes the beauty of nature, finding it strange that it is so untrampled in this region in comparison with their homes. Aikaterine would mostly enjoy speaking in Egyptian with Teth as they walk along the western side of the island. General conversation.
When they enter the clearing and see the elven woman, she observes her a brief moment. A twinge of pain courses through her heart at what was left behind. As the eyes of the elf settle on her, she knows the woman can see through the dim light of her hood.
The slight against her goes without comment, but she knows Poseidon would have skewered this mortal at the inference she is a servant. Aikaterine just nods in response to the elf and Kyronai's words. When the topic of their business comes up, Aikaterine speaks. Her voice is alluringly sweet and has an elven accent to it.
"There are humans who cannot see in the darkness of my hood, but that is not you. That is how she knows. That and people don't often patrol with the guards. It makes sense that we must be in league with them. It'd only stand to reason we hold authority then, and since we aren't part of the King's local government, it'd be easy for a local to assume we are servants of the gods."
She looks from Kyronai back over to the elf.
"What is your name?" she asks, removing her hood to reveal what is already seen by Daphne. The guards will see Aikaterine's striking features and beauty once more.
The woman rises unsteadily. She hesitates a moment, dropping the last of the lost mushrooms into her basket and rearranging them as if this is the most urgent task ahead of her right now. "Oh, people just call me Daphne! I actually live a little ways away from here, but you caught me on one of my walks, I guess!" She smiles brightly. "And it's a real honor to meet you, though I--I'm so sorry, I feel like I should know your name, but it's totally slipped my mind if I ever did." She looks between Aika and the others, her head inclined respectfully.
"It is a pleasure to meet you, Daphne."
She looks briefly to the guards with them who seem to have cursed the elf under his breath. She wonders where the disdain comes from. So far, she has not seen a reason.
"You may call me Aikaterine. This here is my fellow companion Zagreus. And before you, you see Pietro and Teth, who you may know."
"Perhaps she might know something?" she asks Zagreus. He would know elves live a bit longer, and may know change a bit more acutely than humans or other shorter-lived races.
"This here is my fellow companion Zagreus."
"Perhaps she might know something?" she asks Zagreus.
"If she somehow knows who we are, I don't see much reason to hide why we are here. Go ahead and ask her."
Kyronai turns to Teth, "What do you think?"
Daphne smiles and nods to Kyronai and the two guards, giving a little wave. She watches the pair discuss questioning her, shifting from foot to foot. "Ask me what?
Assuming Teth thinks it's alright, she will ask.
"Oh, just that we are looking for any signs of rebel activity on the island. But primarily, we are here to see if it has any connection to the Prometheans. Might you have heard of anything regarding these groups in recent years?"
Daphne slowly blinks. "I... rebels? Here? No, no, I... nothing recent, anyways. But gosh, I feel like I'm always a year or two behind current events, you know?" She laughs sheepishly, brushing a stray lock of hair behind her ear. "I guess I don't get out much. Who are the Prometheans?"
"A group of people determined to kill the current gods. They are led by Zagreus, as far as we know, who has commissioned the death of hundreds so far so that his purposes can come about. We are seeking to covertly take him on and those he recruits before they become a significant problem."
Daphne seems to consider this, nodding slowly. "Wow. So you've really got your work cut out for you, huh?" She winces, looking Aika up and down. "I mean, it kinda looks like you've... already lost someone."
The goddess delightfully chuckles.
"That's an understatement."
When she refers to having lost someone, Aikaterine observes the group and reflects on what the elf might be seeing, then gives her a curious look.
"What do you mean?"
"You're a goddess, aren't you?" Daphne bends back down, hitching up her chiton up so they don't get in the dirt, and starts plucking the last of the mushrooms from this patch. "I can see it, there's--there's something about you. But I don't recognize your name. I'm pretty good at remembering names."
She pauses. Her hand drifts under a bush, procuring one last bright orange chanterelle. She drops it into her basket. "Actually, you remind me a lot of someone else." Her voice quiets slightly. "And I don't... I just don't think she would give up her powers if she was still alive."
"This here is my fellow companion Zagreus."
"Perhaps she might know something?" she asks Zagreus."If she somehow knows who we are, I don't see much reason to hide why we are here. Go ahead and ask her."
Kyronai turns to Teth, "What do you think?"
"I don't think she knows anything. We probably went to the wrong side of the island." Teth nervously replies.
Kyronai's eyes narrow in confusion and poorly-hidden suspicion at Teth's words, but he merely nods. He doesn't want to interrupt the elves' conversation.
"You are a perceptive one. You are right. She wouldn't. And didn't. Alas, here I am. The same, yet different. I will tell you more about it if you go to my temple and worship me there in prayer. Then I will answer. Or, you can choose to meet with us at the inn we are staying at if you'd rather." She will then refer to it by name so the elf will know where to go if they wish to meet again. "Or, I suppose you are welcome to join us, but we are on patrol, so any manner of things can happen. I would not wish to put you at risk. However, the walk will likely produce additional mushrooms for your meal or selling--whatever the purpose of you being out here is."
She glances to Teth at what he's saying, wondering if he's lying or trying to hide something, or if this elf really makes him nervous.
"So you don't know her well?" she asks Teth.
"You are a perceptive one. You are right. She wouldn't. And didn't. Alas, here I am. The same, yet different. I will tell you more about it if you go to my temple and worship me there in prayer. Then I will answer. Or, you can choose to meet with us at the inn we are staying at if you'd rather."
Daphne laughs. "Oh, well, gosh, the inn sounds a lot faster. Not a lot of temples to her--or, you, I guess--out here. But I bet you've got a long day ahead of you, what with all those Prometheans out there! You don't wanna deal with some old lady like me at the end of it."
As Aikaterine addresses the guard, Daphne looks up between the four of them, a frown crossing her face. She looks between the nervous Teth, the watchful Kyronai, and the deceptively casual goddess of discord.
She rises up, lifting her basket. "You know," she cuts in, trying to draw some pressure off the guardsman, "I think that walk sounds amazing, actually. I mean, how often do you get the chance to go on a nature walk with a goddess?" She cracks a smile at Aika. "And you can tell me all about how you got to become one. I mean, if you don't mind. I'd love to hear it."
"Nope. In fact we should keep moving." Teth replies briskly turning around.
He is very obviously lying and trying to hide something and of course relieved when Daphne suggests the walk.
Daphne winces.
Kyronai murmurs to Pietro as they walk. "Is something wrong? Why is Teth so agitated?"
"Uh no, of course not. I'm sure it's just excitement about finding these Prometheans or the rebels." Pietro replies to Kyronai.
From this moment on, Aikaterine will wear her cestus as they walk. It is not abnormal for her to wear it in potentially dangerous situations, but in this case, she doesn't trust the guards at all now. Perhaps they themselves are rebels and/or Prometheans.
"Pietro and Teth. You take point. Us three will walk behind a bit and privately chat as we patrol."
Could they defy a goddess? Perhaps this elf will feel more open with them out of earshot?
Daphne watches as the pair of guards move to the front, chewing on the inside of her cheek. She travels with her walking staff in one hand and her basket in the other, listening attentively to what the two agents have to say.
The pair nod to Aika and jog for a bit to give the trio some distance.
"Before we talk about my position in the deific scale of things, what is truly going on here? Both of them are lying between their teeth, and you are being evasive. Speak the truth," she commands.
Daphne stumbles slightly before catching herself. "I-I don't know what you mean."
She takes a deep breath. "But you know, a 'please' here or there sure would be nice. It's not very n-nice to bark orders at people."