Chapter 6: Chapter 6
(Author's Note: Hey everybody, sorry for the late chapter. Things have been really crappy lately in my life. But I am glad to let you know I am back, and I am going to start a Patreon. Do not worry; I will still upload like normal it is just to get some chapters ahead of time. Plus, I am going to be working on another Fanfic and an Original novel at the same time. I will let you know more when I get things in order.)
(BCE Kassandra POV)
Walking through some ruins, I can see the Lightning Zeus in the distance. I can see right ahead the vineyard Markos decided to buy and move to.
"Guess this is the vineyard… Straight ahead." I tell myself.
I call on the bond between Ikaros and me to find Markos at the top of the hill, at the villa.
"There you are. Let's see what you've gotten yourself into this time, Markos."
Getting to the villa, I overhear Markos talking to one of the male farmers, "Boss – I keep telling you – you can't do that." The farmer said frustratedly to Markos.
"Why? It's my farm! I can plant where I want." Markos answered in his usual way to annoy people tone.
The farmer said, pleadingly to have him understand, "The grapes will die here – all of them."
Markos, now stepping up his "charismatic charm," responded, "You have to forget what you know about the past, my friend – together, we will revolutionize winemaking! Believe me, you will look back on this day and –"
Before he could finish, I bumped into him from behind. He took a step to regain his balance before turning around.
"Kassandra, thank the gods – Phoibe found you in time."
"Thinks he can tell me about grapes…." The farmer said while walking away in frustration.
Markos turned to look at him, "I can still hear you…."
Looking back at me, he continued, "I was worried sick. The Cyclops sent his scum to find you. I think they mean you harm."
Getting a little mad, "I wish you would have told me that before they hit me. But that's beside the point. You bought a vineyard, Markos? A vineyard?!"
Giving me a shrug, he answered, "Why not? I like wine, you like wine. Everybody likes wine. Everybody buys wine! Why not from me?"
"Because you don't know how to grow grapes or make wine?" I responded to his stupid question.
But of course, he has a quick answer to this problem, "I'm a fast learner! You grow grapes on the vine, then you get some wine." Of course, the end of the statement ruins it, like always.
Scoffing at what he said, "It's that simple, is it?"
"You know me better than to think I don't have a plan. Markos always has a plan."
Not wanting to hear anymore, I cross my arms over my chest; I ask, "All right. Then do you have the money you owe me?"
Getting caught off guard for a second, he responded, "Do I have the money I owe you? Of course. Of course. Well, no. Not at the moment."
Now getting even angrier, I approach him, "Then – get – it."
Realizing I was unhappy, he stepped back a bit, "Instantly, my friend, instantly. But – maybe you should do that. There is a merchant in Sami – I'm not very good at these things as you know."
"You want me to collect my own debt?"
"It's just waiting for you in Sami, my friend."
Giving in since I know it will be easier to collect it myself than get it from Markos, "Who's the merchant?"
"Duris. You know Duris. He's very nice."
Not believing what I heard, I said, "Duris? How stupid can you get? Stop giving him money!"
"He always pays me back." Responding like it is no big deal.
"After I threaten him."
"Exactly – everybody benefits. Duris gets his money. I get my interest – and you have work. Kephallonia is wonderful, is it not?"
"How do you want to handle this one?" I ask him.
"Not like you handled that olive oil business. That was – that was too much." He said with a bit of fright from remembering the event.
"I got the money," I said like it was not a big deal.
"And now we'll never get any more from him. If you kill them all, nobody benefits. Threatening them and maybe more… Breaking things, certainly. Steal the money if you have to, but don't rob me of my customers. Unless you can't avoid it. These things happen."
"He'd better have my money, Markos. I'd hate to have to sell our vineyard."
"Of course he will! Oh, after there's another matter I want to discuss with you. After." He said, remembering something at the end.
"Fine, but I'm taking a horse. It's too hot and too long a walk to go on foot." I said while walking to the stables.
Chasing after me, he started, "But –"
Before he could finish, I said, "Think of it as interest, Markos. Everybody benefits."
Realizing he could not win this argument, he responded, "Of course, my friend, you shall have your pick!"
Getting to the stable, I see three horses to choose from.
"Tell me about this one." Pointing to the left horse.
"The Skyros! You have an eye for sturdy stock, my friend! That horse can cling to mountain passes like a goat."
Pondering over what I heard, I ask, "The one in the middle. Tell me about it.
"Ah! You have picked a beauty, my friend. That horse is from Thessalonia. Bred for its courage." He said while pointing at me at the beginning of his explanation.
Sighing momentarily, I ask about the remaining horse, "I like the look of the one on the right."
"Ah, the Makedonian. These are bred for battle. A true warrior's horse!"
"I've made my choice," I said.
"Which one will it be?"
"That one – on the right," I said while gesturing with my hand toward the horse,
Sounding awkwardly, he said, "A, uh, a fine choice. But, this particular breed has a few… quirks that you might not be aware of. I wouldn't want you to take an unworthy horse."
"This is the one I want," I said while looking at the horse with some happiness, knowing it would be mine.
"Are you sure, because –"
Knowing what he was trying to do by questioning my decision, I answered him with some frustration, "I'm sure, Markos."
Backing off from questioning it anymore, he says, "Everybody benefits. Especially you! You've chosen the great Phobos. He's never let me down!"
Walking over to the horse, I call him "Phobos."
"Remember, meet me at the temple in Sami when you have, uh, your money from Duris." He said while I brought out Phobos from the stable.
Then a woman comes running over to us.
Markos seeing her, greets her, "Ah, Euterpe! There's plenty of wine left to buy. Don't fret."
The woman, Euterpe, responded, "Not now, you fool! Phoibe's been taken."
Worried about what I heard, I questioned, "By who?"
"Thugs of the Cyclops – Who else? Snatched her right off the main road!"
Anger now boiling up, I pressed, "Tell me where they went."
Feeling a bit startled, she answered while pointing toward the beach, "In the direction of Ktimene Beach."
Markos then said with some surprise, "The beach? Can she swim?"
"I'll get her," I responded with some confidence.
"Yes, go. But don't forget about dear Duris, Kassandra!"
I hop on Phobos and ride off to Ktimene Beach to safe Phoibe from the Thugs of the Cyclops.
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