Chapter 2: Stormy Seas

Nikias stands aboard the prow of his ship as it sails away from Troy. Away from war. The ocean breeze never felt so good - it is almost as if he was home already.

"Gods, it's good to finally be out of that armour." while a soldier on campaign didn't wear his battle armour day in and day out, most kept some part - the shin and forearm guards generally, or in his own case the light leather under armour - on even when sleeping. It led to some interesting callouses, quite a bit of chafing, and a rather rancid smell all in all. He was glad to have taken the opportunity to make use of a clear spring well away from the crimsoned river flowing away from the still smoldering ruins of Troy to wash both his own body and all of his gear. The scout, as was his profession, had found a comfortable perch atop the crossbeam of the mast, one leg hooked around yet another example of his father's invention as he peers out to sea. Unbidden, a song comes to his lips... taught to him on the day of his departure from Sparta from a mentor long dead on the field "I fail to understand, the direction of the winds!"

Unlike Kouru, and likely many others, Iantha still bore her armour while on the ship. It was a comfort for her, a feeling of protection, and the weight was calmer. When out of it the lighter feeling was an odd sensation, like she could easily just be pluck up by the whims of the winds, oor the gods.

She stands near the front of the ship, leaning against the railing. To and observer it looks like she is watching the waves for danger, but in truth the warrior is lost in her own thoughts.

"It's easy to be happy when the winds are fair and the mood is bright" came the old proverb, and indeed it was. A weathered hand would reach into the plain cloth pouch at his waist, pulling out the little statuette: made of pure white stone it was striated across the throat with a particular vein the colour of dried blood. Chapped lips would kiss the statue, muttering "𐤄‎𐤏𐤔𐤄𐤃𐤀𐤅𐤍‎‎‎‎‎‎‎𐤐" before he'd toss it into the sea, just at the peak of a particular high wave before turning to Sinon "She is lucky, and so are you. I hope to have a bride waiting for me when I get home. Ther-" And there was trouble with his prisoners.

Of course there was, there always was. Unbidden, an old memory of another girl, fresh as the day it was made, flashed into his mind. He'd absently give his shipmate a gentle thump in the chest before reaching into his purse and muttering "𐤉𐤒𐤉𐤂𐤄𐤍𐤄𐤉𐤀‎‎‎‎‎‎ 𐤕𐤇𐤍‎‎ 𐤂𐤀" and tossing two gold coins likewise into the surf. It still didn't sit right with him, and likely never would. Sliding down the mast he'd gingerly walk up to Nikkas - couldn't be too careful those first days getting the sea legs back - and salute. Nothing quite so like the gods on the ground like a captain in command of his ship "Something you need me to tend to, sir?"

"Hmm," Nikias ponders, frowning. "Let us go together. I would hear of these portents myself, lest I fall prey to folly." He looks to the men who had approached. "Do not fear, Mikros, Kallon. We are good, righteous men. Surely the Gods will know our deeds are such." He claps the taller of the men on the shoulder as he passes and goes to seek out the prince and princess below decks.

'You think we need of some boys to fight a beast?' Iantha tone is light-hearted as she keeps watching the ocean. 'May be an idea. Wouldn't be a bad thing for Sparta to be aware of our skills.'

Ducking his head to avoid a low crossbar caused a loud pop and a twinge of pain to crack from somewhere in his lower back "... I can't wait to be home on dry, Spartan ground again. I miss the smell of the orchards and the vineyards" was his only response to that particular and public indignity. Glancing at the two guards he'd sigh, clapping the lightly on the shoulders and dismissing them "They're my prisoners, I'll take the rest of your watch. Get above decks and keep your eyes out for rocks and storm clouds..." remembering himself with a jolt he'd look to Nikias "With your permission, of course". He'd take in the scene quickly and turn to Helenus "Is she afflicted by one of the gods, or sick, or something else?"

Nikias nods to affirm the men to go above-deck and watch for hazards while he stands and listens to Helenus go on. "That seemed practiced, lad. I assume you've said that very thing to a great many that have visited the temple. Yet, how much of that is true? How long since you were plagued such as your sister?"

"I...I believe you," Nikias says upon weighing her countenance and voice. "So the ship is doomed," Nikias says with a frown. "What are we to do, then? Just sit here, awaiting our punishment? If you see such a fate, you must see a way to avoid it. What if-" he sighs, "-what if we were to rid ourselves of the goods from the temple?" He frowns at the idea, wouldn't Athena be equally angry for further sacrilage? Nikias does not care for this feeling of being an insect, pinned to the floor by a boot.

'Sound like a plan then. Koru may be an able to direct us to the right sort of lads.' She turns to look away from the ocean as she speaks, spying said Scout disappearing below deck after Nikias.

'Looks like something interesting may be happening. Or they had just gone below deck to talk. She was cautious of barging in on soldiers business. Enough of them were uncertain enough fighting beside woman in the first place, she found it easier to not agitate them. Though she doubted Nikias would mind, his men might.