Chapter 4: Open Sea

As the set of again Iantha sits to the side of the ship playing with the gained trinket. She had tried to distraczct herselfwqiqrh other tasks, m like clearing the dents omfir m her armour, sharpening heyr weapons, but such chores had now bee done and she was left with little more than her thoughts. Thoughts that constehd on the worth of the last 10 years, and the whims of the gods.

She could try and aid the crew, but she was concerned about barging her way in. They were well trained, a unit each with their own job, like she has used to be. She could take one of those kisoot oti the war, or the sea creature, but would that be salt in the wound.

She places the bracelet on her wrist, next to another trinket - one of the hooks from the sea creature hastily stringed. She didn't want Artemis to think she was forgotten.

Sighing she looks around for someone else off duty.she couldcknvince into a syoar, a game of dice, cards, someing to distract herself.

Nikias is glad to have the sea beneath his legs again. He always had liked sailing, though it wasn't his profession or calling. It reminded him of the times his father had taken him out on their small boat to fish as a child.

He spends the days visiting with the crew, attempting to make himself as present as possible and available to each and every one of them. They were off-course, he knew, and maintaining morale was going to be important for all. He accepts his role as a leader to include such guidance and provides hope where he can.

He otherwise spends some time with the twin captives of Troy, eager to learn more of what he can of the girl's visions and trying to ensure their comfort as much as possible, given the circumstances.

After one such encounter, he stands and stretches, bidding them a good night. As he leaves, he finds Iantha, walking the deck of the ship, alone. "Warrior," he says in greeting, then pauses, "How have you been getting along? I, regrettably, haven't taken the time to just stop and check with you all that closely. I witness your strength, and perhaps foolishly, assume you can shoulder much burden. Is the rest of crew being accomodating?"

"Be wary, men! Could be a coy attempt to lure us in, could be pirates!" He nevertheless gives the orders to approach the waving figure, as it was their duty to offer aid upon the seas to those in need.

Iantha moves to stand by Nikias at he shouts his warning. She had been getting agitated stuck in the ship nothing to do or hunt and just stuck with her own thoughts . Part of her was almost hoping for it to be a trap, but even if genuine at least it was something different than just the never ending waves.

"Chara!?" Nikias shouts, "Afraid not, sailor. But we have shade from the sun, and fresh water. You look as if you could use both. Do you request aid?"

"Stelios. I am Nikias, of Ithica. Yes, we were caught in the storm, but braved it as you did. What island did you come from, how long have you been at sea, friend?" The man drains one waterskin, so Nikias draws his own and hands it to him. "Here, more water."

Iantha watches Nikias as the captain for cues as to how to proceed. As he let's Stelios on board she relaxes slightly, placing her spear to the side. Her hand still jota le stays close to the sword on her hip however just in case.

She gives the man a nod. 'Iantha of the Amazons. This Chara.. did you know her before you set sail? Or only from dreams?' [/b] There is some bafflement in her voice. Who would set sail just on dreams of a woman?

Cracking an eye open the scout would glance down from the crossbar of the mast where he was reclined, one foot looped carelessly around a line for security. Sleep interrupted he'd sigh and sit up, stretching with a startling number and volume of cracks sounding their way down his spine and hips.

"Limnos isn't exactly out of the way, captain" he'd opine, pointing generally off to the west "We'd just cross the Aegean there instead of south by Ikaria. It's more open water, to be sure, but it'll be faster: the currents run south on the west bank and north on the east, so we'd have both the wind and the sea on our side." Casting a critical eye over the now-secured fishing boat he'd sigh, then slide easily down the mast to land with an unsteady "THUD" on the deck, wincing at the impact "Damn, I dreamed that the gods had made me young again. Well, I know they'd punish us for leaving him alone. We can easily split the crew to do basic repairs while we tow him along. The gods love lovers and madmen, after all"

Nikias takes a deep breath then gives a curt nod to Kouru. "I suppose it is as you say. If Limnos is close enough along the way, let us bring the man home."

He looks to the man, Stelios. "Does that work for you, friend?"

Nikias narrows his gaze at the man. "A rocky outcropping? You speak as if you see sirens, my friend. Does Chara sing to you?"

"And how again was it your ship was made to be in such a condition as we found it?" Nikias has difficulty shaking his skepticism.

Iantah looks to Nikias and back to Stelios. 'It's your ship, I will follow your lead if we take him. '

Nikias nods slowly. "Come then, we'll take you home and see this Chara of yours, if it proves safe." He turns to one of his men, "See that this man has food and what comfort we can muster."

Once the man is led away, he turns to his companions and one of his other men, "I want that man watched at all times while aboard this vessel. I don't trust his presence or motivations, nor would I turn him away. We'll set watches. He is to remain below decks until we arrive, unless guarded by no less than two dedicated, armed men."

With a quick "Sir. We'll need at least two to sail his ship, and a third to work repairs to keep it afloat. Waste not." and a tap of fist to chest the scout would follow the newcomer below decks. Blinking to let his eyes get used to the darkness he'd lead the wayward lover to his own captives, grabbing a bit of tattered netting as he went "Idle hands make active work" was the motto of every military leader of every rank, and he was no different. "Come, sit." he'd offer to the newcomer before settling himself next to Cassandra "Have you three ever repaired a net?"

"Good plan, Kouru. I had thought to leave it derelict, yet I suppose we could keep it afloat and bring it along, unless it becomes too cumbersome."

He whistles and catches the attention of two men nearby. "You two, strong sailors as you are, you'll set to this man's ship and keep it in pace with our own. Before you go, find Aratus - he's keen with hammer and nails, more than most - have him come along and focus on critical repairs."

'I agree, but I do not know of Sirens who lure with dreams as well as their voices. Maybe I should get Nikias to prepare materials to block the crews ears just in case. We should both be on our guard'

Nikias nods in agreement, "The story doesn't add up, I agree. Something is off about this man. If it turns out he is mad, we will cut his ship loose and leave it adrift. Regardless, we will attempt to bring the man ashore where we next dock. Mad though he may be, I would not desire to leave someone to their fates upon these waters."

With a cocked eyebrow he'd first toss a waterskin to his new... companion... and simply plop down to find a spot in need of work "Well, as long as you two are in this bind, I supposes there's nothing to do but show you the ropes." Picking a simple snag as an example he'd hold up the two ends to the soft light filtering in through the hatch "It's fairly simple in general, all you do to start is..."

'..I appreciate the sailors may complain, but it likely for the be...wait. ' Iantha stops her discussion with the warrior as she spots the creatures off the bow. Even as she walks for a closer look her spear is in hand as she tries to figure out what she is looking at.

Nikias takes note of what caught Iantha's eye. "What is it you see there? Dolphins?"

"Of course you like me. I'm a bloody delight. Mother always said so. You know, my father once told me that a wise man keeps a beautiful wife near the temple of Hera and Aphrodite and away from the docks. The gods may be jealous at times, but I've never heard of a good wife being injured by any of the Ladies. Now, carried off by their husbands... " Glancing up at the break in the rhythm of work the scout would look first to Cassandra, then speak to Helenus "How are you two faring with the sea? I know that some find the motion difficult, but try and make sure you two are eating and drin- "

Headaches. She was cursed by Apollo. 𐤏𐤌𐤀𐤂.

"-king. " Shifting slightly he'd bend down to catch Cassandra's eye, his own gaze concerned - and concerned on many levels.

"Is it just the company, or is there something else giving you that headache?"

Iantha lowers her weapon but it stays in her hands. 'Nereids. They don't often mean harm, but they don't look happy. I suggest you get your more... 'impressionable' men below.' As she speaks to walks towards the edge of the ship towards the approaching people.

Reaching a weathered, bronzed hand into a bag he'd pull out a few simple ship cakes. Pressed oats baked in bacon fat with a little honey, they weren't a delicacy by any means but were a pleasant enough way to keep up one's energy. Passing them around he'd simply nod to Cassandra and mutter "Seldom are" before reaching over to Helenus "Over, under, behind, and through, gives the fish passage but only to you." I wonder if old Lysander is still alive came the thought unbidden as his memory flashed to days long ago "Speaking of which, is it only game used in your... the craft, or can fish be used as well? I had an aunt who used the flight of birds, but I don't know if that was real or just her imagination. Is it something that has to be learned, like standing in a shield wall, or is it something that has to be more felt, like poetry... or more something that has to be done, like guiding an arrow to the target through practice?"

Breaking the cake neatly in his hands the spartan would pass one half over to Stelios and then take his half between surprisingly white teeth, breaking off a small chunk to be tongued between molars and cheek to soften. Bull guts, bird flight, brass lamps, and gifts... He could feel the pull of the smooth sphere in a pouch at his waist, the weight something more than simple physical mass.

'Greetings. I am Iantha if the Amazon.' She throws Nikias a look as the Nerieds ask for Stelios. It was his vessel nit hers, so up to him to give up someone under his care.

'What has he done?... Wait.. I don't suppose one of you is Chara? '

Hearing his name the Spartan would look up sharply, but would let Helenus speak before turning to Stelios "They are. Would you kindly head back above decks and inform the captain that we have completed the repairs to this net?". His tone of voice was that of a wise and venerable retainer "gently advising" his Lord's foolish young son - a request in only the most polite terms, after which his gaze shifts to encompass the twins "I'm going to tell you this now, and I'm going to assume that I will not have to repeat myself - and if I do, there will have to be consequences. In Sparta, you two, your parents, and everyone else I have claimed would usually be treated as 𐤄‎O𐤉‎O: you would be auctioned to a prestigious brothel or sold perhaps to one of the nobles. It is my intent to keep you both as 𐤈‎𐤄‎O𐤉O for the temple. As I have been victorious in war, I will be married and become head of my own household - a household to which you two would belong and eventually, if you serve well, be a part." "They are soft, my son, and weak..." came the voice of his father, echoing in his head from more than a decade past "And as such it is necessary that you two both know and understand your place. If you are ever heard to utter my name as casually as you have just done, you will be killed."

Heaving a sigh the old veteran would roll his head from side to side, feeling the tension growing down his shoulder blades before looking again at the twins "I find myself growing fond of the pair of you, and I would not see anyone abused or wasted. Whether from a king or a slave, a promise to the gods is a good and noble thing. You've seen that I will not allow anyone to strip you of what honour remains yours, even as slaves. But I can only do this if you two are aware, and if you two are careful. I have much to learn from you, and you still have your lives." gazing to Helenus the scout would allow himself to be as honest and open as he knew how "Help me to protect them." "... but together they are mighty, and make us mightier still"

Nikias grimaces. "Entangled again in the will of the Gods," he says quietly, then louder, to the trio, "And how precisely do you think to talk sense into him? I would worry for us, and for even you, should harm come to him in this discourse, such that the will of your mother be interceded upon."

"So, you do this for your sister, is it? And what is it she wants? You suggest he divert course based on his love for her, but what of you? If she loves him, and he her, then surely dissuading him from finding Chara would cause her similar distress, would it not? Perhaps even more so. Love, real love, is not something so fickle as to be forgotten with the change of the tide."

'You may be correct Nikias still I see no harm in letting them speak to him. If he is true in his live he will not be sway. As long as you three agree not to harm him he he refuses to change..'

Part of her wanted to ask what they meant about this Thetis and the war. It was not a name she recalled off the top of her head.

Nikias takes a breath, considering Iantha's words, then nods. He looks to one of the sailors nearby - "You, Agathinos, go fetch our new friend and bring him forth to speak."

Making solid eye contact with the fallen prince, the old soldier would look from him to his sister and then back before a slow smile stretches across a weathered face "Ahh, there you are at long last, proud Trojan. I'm honoured to finally meet you. That shield you wield with such skill would be the envy of many a Spartan." As the wind tosses about the cramped space to playfully muss black, short cropped hair, he'd peer back at Cassandra with memory flashing behind suddenly damp eyes Iphigenia... "I am, your highnesses, the son of an elevated peasant who learned that the fortunes of men can be as fickle as the wind taking a bow-shot. We are, in spite of our lands, new: new to money, new to power, new even to the lands which we were granted. We have the hate of waste common to all peasants, but the hunger for glory and legacy common, I think... to all those wishing to remain long after their bodies are dust."

Taking a pull from his battered waterskin the equally battered scout would rise to his feet, nodding at the pair "And while you two are welcome to live out the rest of your days in the temple, I would..." a quick pause, a second of uncertainty, then a decision made "I would prefer if you two added your family strength to mine. That your family legacy of strength, honour, and dignity might live on in glory rather than as a cautionary tale." and with that he'd simply turn back toward the hatch, heading above decks to check on the state of things "Think on it. Speak to each other. Take time to watch, to learn. Serve in the temple and tend to your gods. But the offer will be there as long as I am... however long the Lady wills that be"

Nikias frowns. "Stelios, o' man of despair, why do you find such sadness in matters of the heart, when the one who holds yours awaits you this very moment? Has you such cowardice so as to give up so easily, thy fancy so fleeting as the breeze - so prone to shift as the tide?"

"It depends entirely on the depths of their hunger, I should think, if it is worth the risk. This is only a decision you can make, Stelios, but make it you must."

Iantha's face hardens slight at the mention of A holes but she doesn't say anything as Stelios emerges.

She watches the exchange with a look of bemusement, not too invested in either side.

Nikias shrugs and looks to the ancient ones in the water. "Will you let this man drown, or deliver him to your sister? Either way, she will not hear of this man's fate from us."

"Friend, we haven't repaired tha- wait, there are nereids, should we- wait, don-" Things seemed to be happening rather quickly was his only thought as he blinked, eyes still adjusting to the sunlight "You know what?" he ponders as he shrugs, walking up to Nikias and thumping a fist to his chest in salute "Captain, the nets and rigging below are repaired. We should be able to safely tow that fishing boat while repairs are made" came his report as his mind wanders "This is all above my pay grade."

"Well, that is one extra stop we need not make, I suppose. Yet here we are with an extra boat. Perhaps not all is lost - it may be of benefit to us to tow the boat to the next port anyway, trade it for tidings or silver.

Thank you, Kouru."

... found himself staring open-mouthed at the retreating demi-gods only to snap his attention back to the matter at hand: someone was giving him credit for something, and as all junior leaders throughout history he knew better than to waste the moment "Of course, sir" he'd snap, firing off another salute "Might be a good idea to offer sacrifice to the gods for this sign of favour when we have a moment, perhaps grant the men a night ashore when we have a chance... dropping the salute he'd lean in slightly and lower his voice "... though it seems we were given some manner of messenger. Shall we keep to our new, modified course?"

Still watching out over the sea, Nikias takes a deep breath. "We continue along a similar bearing. I see no reason to risk betraying what is clearly a signal from Olympus. We stay our course."

He turns to Kouru. "How are the twins holding up?"

"Kouru!" Nikias says, suddenly very worried for the man. He takes several steps forward and kneels. "Are you alright, soldier?"

"Vengeance" he'd burble, retching dryly on the deck before looking up, his milky-white gaze finding the amazon's "No... 𐤔‎𐤉‎𐤌‎𐤄‎𐤈‎ satisfied" would come a brassy, almost two-pitched voice before he blinked, eyes returning to their normal brown and meeting those of Nikias "Captain? I... something is wrong. We need to get home."

Nikias places a hand on the other's shoulder. He weighs the truth in the man's eyes and simply nods. "Right. No more delays, if we can help it."