"Athena is not the only one with priests." Eurenomes said gibly, though inside he was growing more alarmed. He stood up, gathering his chlamys around him.  "Well fair seas and fine winds my friends and may the gods be with you.  I journey to our homeland so will see for myself what risk there is."

Bidding farewell Eurenomes left the tavern, his fingers tight around his Caduceus staff. As he exited his carefree grin melted away, replaced by a worried, even frighted exprission.  Brooding, the priest made his way to the inn the companions were staying at. He wondered what the others might have uncovered.

Aleta bow to the man "Yes sir. I just got to town. My town was raided and I came here with some others. Do you need anyone to do work around you home? I will do anything kind sir" she says in a soft voice, acting like she is desperate for work.

Arthanos stands stunned for a few seconds before bowing his head to the old man.

"I will heed your advise and do as you ask." he says reverently. He wishes the old man a good night, then departs the temple and heads back to the hotel.

As they trod that thin path, it was harrowing to glance to either side. Though she had not truly died, she did not think that fact was any protection here, at all.  One wrong step, and....best not to dwell upon that.

It was all she could do to restrain herself from gasping out loud at sight of the specter of Lelios. The last thing she needed was to encounter a shade with grudge against her.   Yet, his life was truly over, and either his attention was now fully removed from his mortal life, or else he simply did not notice her.   Either of those cases was more than fine with her.

It was a chilling thing to share this ride with the deceased for fellow passengers.  Again, she did her best to clear her thoughts, and not give in to the sort of speculation that would lead to fear. That wasn't easy; she thanked the Gods for the strong will with which she had been blessed.  She was only relieved to part company with them, once the Ferryman bade her to seek the temple.

Yet the most stunning thing to occur, was the appearance of the robed woman.  Whom left a trail in her wake which was the very essence of the season of Spring. It seemed wise to make no assumptions.  Yet, how could it be any other-?  The words she spoke only seemed to confirm her identity...

"Lady," she said to her, her usually insouciant tone touched with reverence and awe, "It seems the archfiend called Thanator, has a cult who seek to summon him to the mortal world.  One of our allies, a holy man of Hermes, has had a terrible vision about what may come to pass. It seems this violation will begin in Argos, and target in particular the house of Athena. A priestess of Your shrine has informed me that one such fiend breaking free could pave the way for more.  I know this flouts the Law of the Underworld, and goes against the will of Lord Hades and Yourself. Of course, it is also a horrific threat to we mortals. My associates and I would stop this, if we can. But, one of our biggest challenges, is to locate such a secretive group. And do so before time runs out. If there is any knowledge you can impart to help us, I swear to you it will be used to avert this atrocity."
This message was last edited by the player at 23:49, Tue 25 Feb 2014.

Done for the evening, Arthanos leaves the temple of Athena to head back to the inn. Similarly, Eurenomes departs the busy bars on the docks to head back as well. Hopefully the morning would bring better tidings.

---

Aleta

The lanky man bows in return. "Fair lady, I am a servant of the House of Theodori, and my masters are always looking for talented individuals, such as yourself." he says, voice smooth and polished. Obviously he had used this kind of line before. He gestures towards a large mansion just a few blocks away. "I bid you go to that mansion. Once you are there, Syntyche, the mistress of the House, will see you and assess your capabilities."

Aleta bids the lanky man farewell and heads over the house that he had mentioned. It was just as well that she hadn't tried to break in, given the number of private guards around on the outside. Aleta tells them that she is there to see Syntyche and is admitted into the servant's entrance.

Now inside, she takes careful note as two of the guards lead her through a long narrow hallway, eventually putting depositing her into a small room. "Wait here." says one of the guards. "Syntyche will see you shortly."

Aleta listens as the two men who had escorted her inside march back down the hallway to head outside. The thief takes note of her immediate surroundings: She is in a small waiting room. It is plainly just used for interviews or for sitting or relaxing, as there is a large window leading into the House's courtyard. The other other exit from the room leads into the hallway. There were a few doors that Aleta had passed while being escorted inside, but they were all closed.

The question now was how to best proceed?

---

Dysis



The Lady is wordless for a moment, she then turns her left arm, palm facing out, and Dysis watches as the Lady moves the very air and reality itself as if were simply drawing a curtain.

What is revealed, and what Dysis sees, is horrific indeed...



The archfiend Thanator is massive and terrible, the very sight of it inspires dread, but fortunately is restrained in its prison in the House of Hades. After letting Dysis gaze upon the archfiend for a moment, the Lady closes the view and again it is just Dysis and her standing before the temple.

"You now have seen the creature with your own eyes, Dysis." says the woman. "Know this, Thanator is a servant. A great force of destruction, born of the evils of the world, but it is still a servant of Hades. What this cult intends to do is wield him for their own purposes. They will find Thanator is not easily tamed. I can warn you that should Thanator be freed from his bondage, it will take the greatest of all sacrifices to bind him in place once again."

The lady draws forth a Caduceus, laying it in her hands. "To release him, the cult seeks artifacts of the Gods, for the essence of those Gods resides within their creation. A Caduceus such as this was once given as a gift to seal the peace between two warring peoples, but it has been stolen. To sacrifice this gift is not enough to break Thanator's bondage, and so this cult seeks others that will."

The Caduceus in her hand disappears and the Lady extends a hand out towards Dysis. "This is all I can impart to you now. The fates are still spinning out your destiny, as well as that of your friends. It is time for you to return to them."

Aleta looks at the guard "Of course sir" as she walks over to the window to look out over the courtyard, noting the window and doors that lead into it and how many hiding places there out there, if any. She tries to make sure she remember the lay out of what she passed though so far.

Then she goes and sits and waits, like a good girl would, listening to see if she can hear anything.

"Silver is fine" Itylus replied while setting his two silver coins on the table again, the only thing he wanted from the man was information, and he would rather try to get it subtly while they played, than playing for it. In a casual tone he continued. "As for being troubled...well, it probably is nothing, but..." Itylus bends over the table in a confidential way, and says. "I've heard this strange rumors, of weird things going on in Argos, and odd people being sighted there. I happen to be traveling towards there so it worries me. You are Argosian right? Do you know if there is any truth in this rumors?"

Commanding the element of darkness as she did, Dysis was more familiar than most mortals with what lurked beyond the light of this world. Even so, nothing in her relatively limited experienced had prepared her for sight of something like Thanator. She gasped, and took an instinctive step backward from the horrifying sight.

Of course, she recollected the caduceus as detail from the priest's vision. After it vanished from her hands, and the Lady had ceased to speak, she reflected out loud:

"We have just met those who seek an artifact gifted to bring peace betwixt two warring peoples.  I would guess, through the workings of Fate, that it is the same. And thus if we find it, we should find the cult, too.  Or, perhaps, we can learn what they may be likely to steal next, and find them that way."  She nodded once.  "This may help a great deal. Thank you, Lady, for permitting me to come here, and for what you have revealed."

Zuri


It was all a question of time for the Amazon, while her assailant may have been swift, he only had a dagger while she possessed spear and shield, in addition to determination.  His friend would have to wait, as she bears down upon this one. She trades blows with the man a few more times, and then... she impales him.

She had seen death before, many times, but everybody seemed to die a different way, and yet they were also the same. The look in this one's eyes was surprise.  They never see it coming.

Having no time to reflect further, she quickly pivots and then charges down the gangplank where the second man had just finished cutting the throat of the unfortunate sailor who had overheard their struggle. Zuri uses her speed to her advantage and overpowers the man, disarming him of his weapon and wounding him grievously before he surrendered.

She hits him in the face with her fist a few times, trying to learn the whereabouts of the third man, only to find out that he had escaped. Using rope on the docks, she binds the man's hands and marches him off to find either a guard station or someplace else where he could be held in custody...

---

Aleta

Aleta looks into the courtyard, which is magnificently laid out. A marble pool dominates most of it, with various trees and fauna scattered around it. Given that it was night, there would be plenty of cover to hide in, if need be, though if a lantern or torch was shorn over the area then she'd probably be spotted. There were at least two other first floor entrances leading into or out of the courtyard, not including the entrance she was standing in. There were also some on higher floors of the building, but she'd have to climb up there to get in.

She waits a minute or two, hearing nothing coming from down the hallway...

---

Itylus



The gambler flashes a coin in front of Itylus face. "Ah, you do indeed peg me correctly. I am an Arogsian by birth, and I have come through there most recently before here." he flips his coin, letting it land on the table, face up. He studies it for a moment. "Odd people have been in the city as of late, it is true." he says. "I myself was approached by such a strange person. He gave me a token, a coin charred black by a fire. He said that it was the currency of Hades." the man laughs. "Ah, what a strange one he was, wanting me to come with him to hear more of a new way, a new philosophy free of the Gods." The gambler grins again and looks Itylus in the eye. "But I said to him that the Gods had always favored me. Why should I free myself from them when I am in their beloved graces?" he chortles. "He didn't seem to mind. Let me keep the coin even, said I could always change my mind."

---

Dysis

The Lady nods and smiles and takes Dysis' hand...

In a flash, whatever Dysis had experienced ended. Whereas her vision had gone black before, now it had gone blindingly white.

The brightness began to fade and she saw that she was lying on the street outside of the House of Hades in Thena. The old man that was chattering to her before was nowhere to be seen.  As she rises, Dysis does a quick check and finds nothing out of place or missing, though she does notice that the belt devoted to Apollo that she was wearing was now glowing a faint lavender color.

"Well, that is very odd indeed." Itylus agreed, trying not to let show his excitement at finally getting a clue about the cultists."Do you mind I take a look at that coin?"

While he waited for the answer of the gambler, Itylus added another question."Oh, and is there any specific part of the city where you can find these persons?"

Aleta was wondering if this was becoming a test. She didn't want to wander around and get caught or if she just disappeared, they would then search for her. She leans out the window and looks around quickly, not wanting to get caught leaning out.

Aleta

Pushing open the window leading into the courtyard, Aleta peers out for a moment.  The air is refreshing, though she doesn't see anything new that she couldn't see with the window closed.

From behind her, she hears a voice. "The courtyard really is quite beautiful, isn't it?" Aleta turns to see a woman standing in the doorway. She hadn't even heard her approach, though as she looks down at the woman's feet, she sees why - as the woman wears no shoes, and only has a light dress on. "I am Syntyche, the mistress of the House Theodori. You are...?"

---

Itylus

The gambler takes out the coin and slides it across the table to Itylus. While the hunter inspects the coin, the gambler talks a little bit more. "Well sir, I don't know how familiar you are with Argos... the House of Athena is located high on a hill above the city. I met this individual while I was heading back down the hill to the city itself. Seemed to come out of nowhere."

"Now, I'm not sure you'd meet another such person going to or from the temple, but that's where I met this particular oddball."

Itylus finds the coin to be a coin from Heraklia, the image being that of Ares, God of War on one side of the coin and Thalos the Strong, the current King of Heraklia on the other. It is very badly charred, as if it has been in a fire, and letters of some kind have been scratched on the coin in a language that Itylus cannot understand. Perhaps somebody might though.

In reply to Maze Master (msg # 88):

Aleta turns and looks at the woman "Oh, excuse me. My name is Eleni. The courtyard is very beautiful, I would love to walk out in it."

Syntyche gestures towards the window. "Then by all means, Eleni, let us step out and walk and talk for awhile."

The two women step out of the small room into the courtyard. Syntyche walks close in step with Aleta. "You are new to the city, are you not? I'm told you are like many women new to Thena, looking for work, desperate for it even, is that not true?"

Collecting herself from where she lay, it was hard to believe what she'd just experienced.   Yet, she recalled it all far too vividly to doubt that it had actually occurred.

She glanced down at the belt - wondering what had triggered it, why it seemed to be active now.  Perhaps it had been the Lady's presence - even though there was no direct association between she and Apollo.

Dysis pulled her cloak about herself, so as not to draw attention to the belt, and began to make her way back to the others.  Though numerous things weighed on her mind, the direction before her and the others was now more coherent, more clear.

Aleta nods "Yes, I am not from here. I came in with some merchants looking for work." she walks out with her as she subtle tries to glance around so she gets the lay out of the place. "I suppose there are a lot of desperate woman as we all have to eat. If you don't work, you don't eat. I like eating"

Syntyche seems pleased with Aleta's answers. "We have some work for you then, if you don't mind getting a little dirty in return for coin and food. If you are particularly pleasing then more rewards could come your way."

She turns and gives Aleta an appraising look, seeming to hesitate for a moment. "You do know what I am talking about, I hope. The nobles of this house have certain appetites when it comes to women. When one of the nobles finds a woman that he finds to be a... suitable companion... she is well taken care of."

"So, Eleni, are you sure you want to work here? This is the only time I will ask you."

"Yes, I would like to get as many rewards as I can.  Can I see more of the house, I can only imagine how beautiful the inside is if the outside is so gorgeous. So can you tell me more about the men I will prove for?" She says as they walk around. She also looks for the vase she is suppose to be looking for though figures it is inside.

Itylus observed the coin thoughtfully while he heard the argosean. "Hum I see..." he said after the gambler was done. "Odd for someone to be talking of the Gods like that so close to one of their temples... but then again, maybe is not so odd..." Itylus muttered, half to himself, he then looked toward the other man and shrugged, apparently dismissing the whole thing. "Probably he was just a madmen, nothing for really to worry about."

"However, this is a really interesting coin," he continued, he was certain there was a hidden meaning to it, but he couldn't see it nor understand the writing on it. Maybe Dysis or Eurenomes would. He flipped the coin in the air."I happen to collect unusual trinkets, a hobby of mine, so what do you tell me if I give you both the silver coin I just won from you and mine in exchange of this one?"

Aleta

"Of course." Syntyche replies. "The manor is quite large, but there is time to show you around a little bit so you don't get lost later."

As the two stroll through the Theodori manor, Syntyche points out various rooms, tapestries and other oddities which hold little interest, though it isn't too long before they pass a room that smells strongly of incense. "The family shrine." Syntyche explains. "They are descendants of the mighty Hercules. Did you know? The family has picked up many treasures telling the tale of their heroic ancestor."

She continues to walk along, expectant that Aleta would follow, and continues to prattle on. "Of course, save for morning and evening prayers to the Gods, hardly anybody ever goes in there anymore."

---

Itylus

The gambler seems surprised. "I wouldn't think it would be worth anything to be honest, but if you wish to purchase it as an oddity, I don't see the harm in it." He gives a slight wink. "After all, it hasn't exactly brought me luck, but your silver might." He pauses a moment. "It's a deal."

Walking back on her return, in very pensive mood, (even more so than her usual) a grumble from her belly reminded her that she was hungry. Had not had anything to eat since breakfast.

She saw a tavern, whose exterior wasn't off putting, and elected to go inside, and see if anything on the menu appealed. After slipping inside, she spotted Itylus, in conversation with another man. Well; it was him she'd need to speak with, first.  So this was convenient.

Dysis did not hail him, not wishing to interrupt. But, she walked through his field of vision, so he'd know she was there.

She took a seat at a table in the corner, and considered what there was to eat.

Aleta follows along, looking for the item that she might have to get. As she mentions the shrine, she peeks in "That is very fascinating. It must be a great honor to be a descendant of Hercules. What kind of treasures do you still have?"

"Good" Itylus says satisfied. He hands both silver coins to the gambler and collects the Hereklian coin. He'd have to take this to Dysis and Eurenomes and see what they made of it.

Just as he was putting the coin in one of his pockets, Itylus saw a familiar shape passing by, a few tables behind the gambler. Dysis! How had she found him? Itylus watched as she sat on an empty table in the back of the room and asked for the menu. Itylus then turned back his attention to the argosean, he had to keep playing for a little longer to avoid rising suspects, so he said with a smile: "So, how about we see if I can get those silver coins back?"

Later, while the argosean gambler was busy calling for more beer, Itylus quietly called a serving girl aside and asked her while handing her the Heraklian coin: "Please, would you do me the favor of giving this to the lady sitting over there?" Itylus nodded toward Dysis. "I figure I just lost our bet." he added with a grimace. He returned then to his game.

OOC: After finishing the game, and if the Lyrist is still busy, Itylus will head towards Dysis' table.

(assuming the coin does find its way into her hand)

She saw Itylus briefly confer with the girl, and then hand her something. Dysis glanced up in curiosity, when the girl brought it over to her. It proved to be a coin.

She examined it, both sides, noting that it had plainly been burned...

Talent: Scholar- extensive knowledge in many fields of study

It had been an eventful and rather extended evening for many in the group.

It certainly had been so for Dysis, who had a spiritual experience in the depths of Hades itself and a vision of a great archfiend Thanator even as she sought counsel with her patron Goddess.  Elsewhere, Aleta had been able to con her way inside a prosperous Theodori family mansion under the guise of "Eleni" to find an ornate vase. The return of which had impressed the old thief who sent her and ingratiated herself within Thena's thieves' guild, at least, whatever existed of it within the city. The old thief had little as far as useful information to impart upon her though, save for rumors of a strange cult that was starting to grow in popularity in Argos.

At the docks, Zuri had stationed herself at the ship and managed to ward off attackers and even to take one inside custody. The city's guardsmen were surprised when the bloodied Zuri marched into one of the local guard shacks with a bound and beaten man. It took some explanation as to what happened, but the assailant was imprisoned and an investigation was promised.

Arthanos had sought counsel of his own, namely to the Akropolis and The temple of Athena that stood there.  It was there that he met the old man known as 'Mentor'.  A vision of the great Athena herself had come to him from speaking with the old man, and he had gone to sleep knowing he had the eye of Athena and her blessing as to tasks that would come before him.

Eurenomes had been more social, mingling amongst others and trading story for story and drink for drink. It was in the taverns of great Thena that he had met some of his own countrymen where he heard rumors of a gathering religious cult in Argos that had been growing in influence.

Itylus had found himself refusing a woman's sudden offer to become her companion on a trip to Argos, and then found himself striking up a conversation with a gambler who also relayed disturbing rumors out of Argos, and offers to the hunter a strangely charred coin and thoughts of a philosophy that was free of the Gods and their pantheon.  Dysis, having returned from her own pilgrimage, found the hunter and examined the coin briefly, but could not ascertain much from it at the time. However, there would be plenty of time on the voyage to learn more.

One way or another, eventually all found their way to the hotel or ship to bed for the night.  The next morning, so far off, was to be the voyage...

Thus ends Chapter 2: The Gods' Messengers