(Author's Note: Hey everyone, I just started a new Fanfic called "Harry Potter: The Prince of Madness" Please check it out.)
(BCE Kassandra POV)
Riding into Sami I head for the market, where Markos told me to find Duris. When I got to the market, I dismounted from Phobos and tied him to a post nearby.
I saw a stand where all of these different size pots were. I knew that was Duris' stand and headed to it.
"Hello, Duris. Business looks good." I said, walking up to him.
Seeing me, Duris said, "Tell Markos to come down here himself if he wants his money."
"But I'm here now."
"Look, I was a little late paying. Now Markos says I owe him double because of interest. I don't have it to spare!"
I took a moment to think about what I heard before answering with, "You should have thought of that when you borrowed the drachmae, Duris."
When I turned around to walk away for a second, I heard him say, "But, my family –"
Looking back at him, "It's hot. I'm in a bad mood, and you're going to pay. We both know it. The question is, what do I break first – you or your merchandise."
Getting a little angry at my threat, "You tell Markos I've paid enough already! I won't bow to – to – a mercenary! Or to someone foolish enough to borrow money from the Cyclops."
Catching me by surprise, I asked, "From the Cyclops? That's how he bought his vineyard?"
"Look, I know you'd be dead without Markos – what with him taking you off the street as a kid. But you know what he's doing is crazy!"
"Malaka! Still, that doesn't change the drachmae you owe."
"Face it – once the Cyclops gets hold of you, you'll both be dead!"
After that, I drew out my blade and started to destroy his merchandise.
Destroying a few pots, I hear Duris yell, "All right, all right! I'll pay you! Just stop!"
Sheathing my blade and walking toward him, he tossed a bag of drachmae to me, saying, "Fine! The money's yours. Just leave!"
Catching the bag of drachmae, I replied, "Pleasure doing business with you, Duris."
"Keep my name off your lips! I don't want the Cyclops coming after me for the debt you can't pay." He said while I walked back to Phobos.
I mounted Phobos and rode to the Temple of Zeus in Sami. Getting to the path at the bottom of the hill, I dismounted Phobos and walked up to the temple where Markos was waiting.
Then I saw Markos talking with one of the thugs of the Cyclops. When I walked closer, I overheard their conversation.
"You're running out of time until the Cyclops comes for you, Malaka. He wants his money!"
"Could I have an extension?"
"When he sails back to Kephallonia, he'll come and break you as soon as he docks. If you don't get it." The thug threatened.
"Now, let's be civil –"
Before Markos could say anything else, the thug interrupted him, "You can't hide behind your glorious misthios forever, Markos. He'll kill you, the mercenary, and that little runt girl that hangs around."
"Of course! Not a problem! I-I'll get the drachmae!"
"Good. Or I'll come and watch the Cyclops feed you to his goats." After saying his piece, the thug turned around and walked away.
Markos then saw me and greeted me, "Ah, Kassandra! I-I can tell from the smile on your face Duris has paid you your drachmae."
"Who's smiling? I just heard where you got the drachmae for the vineyard. Are you out of your fucking mind?"
"We can get the money back! C-Can't we? I'm sure it's possible!" Markos said with a bit of worry at the end of his statement.
"You've made an idiotic promise, Markos. One we can't keep."
"I thought you were invincible."
"Maybe I am. But you're not."
Markos sighed and looked to Sami and the Ocean, saying, "I long for the old days! Remember them? They were simple! You had nothing – young and alone – and I had everything. And I gave you the world! Kephallonia – in the palm of your hand!"
Hearing him say that, I remember the past when I heard my mother yell my name mournfully. Running through the woods and finding a boat to embark out in the open sea. That was also the time when I first met Markos and Ikaros.
(Kassandra's Flashback)
Waking up on the beach after that terrible storm. I push myself up off the ground weakly. I had to stretch out my hand to stop the sun's intense rays from blinding me.
Then I saw a man walking over to me with the sun on his back.
He leaned over me, saying, "Don't see fishies like you everyday, eh?"
Hurrying up to my feet, I pointed the spearhead at him in a fighting stance. He then copied my stance and thrust his hand toward me, holding a bread loaf.
"You hungry?"
I reached out to grab the bread, but he withdrew his hand, saying, "How about we make a deal? I do something for you, you do a few things for me… Everybody wins."
While he was talking, he gave me the bread which I had taken.
"Best offer you're gonna get! Think about it!" he finished saying.
He started to walk away, but I called out to him, "…Wait!" He just waved me to catch up to him and laughed while we walked up the beach.
(End Flashback)
I Scuffed, saying, "Kephallonia. Some gift."
"You were nothing without Markos, and look how far we've come! From an orphan on the streets to a misthios with a hovel."
"And now the Cyclops will take everything away. I can't protect you from him forever. He'll kill me too." I told him, reminding him of the danger.
"Oh, don't be scared of him! Look at you!" He said, of course, not seeing the danger.
"How could I go up against him? With what weapons? A rusty spear? A broken bow?"
While talking, Drucilla walked up to us, saying, "There you are! Skulking around a temple won't save you from me, Markos."
"Drucilla! I was just talking about you." Markos said.
Getting confused at that statement, I said, "You were?"
"I need that wood, Markos. These new bows will be the talk of the island. I can't make anything with those bandits malakes stopping the wood shipments." Drucilla said.
"Of course you can't. Why, I was just filling my friend Kassandra in on the details. She already has a plan to deal with these bandits." Markos said, throwing me into this situation.
I answered, "You know me. Always prepared."
"What did I tell you? She will leave no stone unturned."
She got frustrated and said, "I don't care who does it, but someone better gut those bandits. Today."
Backing away from the conversation, Markos says, "A wonderful idea. I for one, ah, need to rush home. Kassandra, I've cooked up a plan for our Cyclops' dilemma. See me when you have time! Oh, and I almost forgot I have a friend turned business opportunity coming in today. He should be docking after your work with those bandits."
After Markos left, I looked at Drucilla, saying, "If you want your wood, You'll have to fix my broken bow first."
"Hmm. I usually only pay when the deed is done, but shit's moving at a snail's pace. Follow me." She said, turning around and heading to her workshop with me following.