Chapter 13 - Back home

I bravely entered the battle that was happening before the front gates of Athens. There were many satyrs and centaurs there fighting Athenian guards and also a few Spartans were there too. Leonidas seemed to be fighting here too. I was surprised that Spartans came all the way here to fight off monsters for a city they rivalled with.
I was attacked by a big group of satyrs within seconds. I relaxed and let my hammer do the job. It danced through the air following my arm and making stops on every satyr face it came into contact with. I battled a few centaurs too. They seemed to be crack shots and did hit me with a couple of arrows, but nothing that a potion can’t cure.
At the end of the battle Leonidas was glad to see me. There was a smile on his face.
- “You’d make an excellent Spartan.” He said to me, “Too bad you missed most of the battle.”
- “Who attacked Athens?” I asked.
- “The beast army was led by a very mysterious sorcerer. He wasn’t human. None of us really managed to get a good look of him, but he left the battlefield just before you arrived.” Leonidas explained.
We then went inside the city walls. It was nice to see my home city again in one piece. I was glad that the monsters didn’t manage to get inside. At least the most beautiful of the Greek cities should survive the monster attack.
Leonidas led me somewhere. I didn’t ask any questions, I just followed him. We came to a house of a wealthy leader. His name was Kyros.
- “Ares? Is that really you?” Kyros asked.
- “Who are you?” I got puzzled as I didn’t know him.
- “You don’t know me, but I’ve heard a lot about your heroic deeds and the only one who we can count on.” Kyros explained.
- “What happened?” I wondered.
- “We think the sorcerer who led the monsters left to Knossos. We don’t know why, but Knossos palace is full of Minotaurs and I am afraid he is going to try and lead them over here.”
- “Who IS this sorcerer?” I asked out of frustration.
- “We have no idea, but I have a theory that it might be one of the Telchines.” Kyros said.
- “Right. So how do I get to Knossos? It’s all the way on Crete.” I asked.
- “Take my ship. You’ll find it by the docks. I think the captain of the ship is there with it, he never really goes anywhere.”
- “OK. I’ll do that.” I agreed, “Is there enough defence here in Athens in case of another attack?”
- “Yes, so far we have the troopers.” Kyros said, “plus we have Leonidas here with his mighty Spartans.”
With this on mind I left his house and headed towards the Athenian docks. On my way there I heard a mysterious citizen calling me. I turned around and headed towards him.
- “Warrior, are you the one they’re sending to Knossos?”
- “Yes that’s me.” I said, “Why do you ask?”
- “I’ve got something you might find useful. I’ve been in a Minoan labirynth many years ago and have this axe and this cuirass since I’ve been there. The axe belonged to the Minotaur Lord.” He said.
- “Interesting. How much?”
- “1500 for the axe and 1800 for the cuirass.” The mysterious stranger said.
- “Deal.” I gave him the gold pieces and armed myself with new gear.
- “Thank you and may Athena give you strength.” The guy said.
I continued my way to the docks. There was only one ship docked there at that time and three sailors nearby.
- “Hey, I’m Ares. I was sent by Kyros to go to Knossos. Which of you is the captain?” I introduced myself.
- “The captain is not here.” One of the sailors said.
- “Where is he then?” I wondered.
- “He went to check something in that vault.” Another sailor said while pointing at an underground passage not too far away.
I had a feeling that something went wrong and therefore decided to go into the vault and find the captain.