Sacred Favors was a virtual representation of one of Kassandra's genetic memories, relived by Layla Hassan through the Portable Animus HR-8.5.
Description
At the request of Xanthe, the magistrate of Pitana, Kassandra sought out Zeuxo in Geronthai to help with whatever she required.
Dialogue
Kassandra arrived at the village and found Zeuxo walking back and forth, looking worried.
- Zeuxo: You wouldn't happen to be the Eagle Bearer, would you?
- Kassandra: Me? Yes I am.
Zeuxo looks at her admiringly.
- Zeuxo: Words do you no justice. Your hair must have been woven by Athena, your body is like a sculpture made by the masters... Your arms look so strong. Strong enough to...
- Kassandra: Strong enough to...?
- Zeuxo: Strong enough to carry this basket to my husband, Kalibos.
- Kassandra: Oh. Right. The magistrate mentioned you.
- Kassandra: It'll be easy to carry.
- Kassandra: I don't have time for that.
- Zeuxo: Please don't forget to bring Kalibos that basket I gave you!
- Zeuxo: Thank you so much. Let me know if you need anything.
(If players choose "Where can I find your husband?")
- Kassandra: Where might I find Kalibos?
- Zeuxo: He's an important general. His unit is stationed in the northeast, near the Fort of Praisai, down by the beach.
(If players choose "What's in the basket?")
- Kassandra: What's in the basket?
- Zeuxo: What any man would need on the eve of battle to win the respect of the gods. Please, Eagle Bearer, it would give him an edge over his enemies.
(Leave - "I'll bring this to your husband.")
- Kassandra: I'll help with your delivery.
Kassandra carried the basket on her shoulders and left the village.
- Kassandra: Ugh, this is heavy. What's in here, bricks?
She ran all the way to the beach some three stadia away, and arrived at a beach camp with a table of food and a fire spit-roasting a pig. She gently put down the basket and talked to the Strategos standing by the biggest tent.
- Kalibos: A misthios? Well met. What brings you to our camp?
- Kassandra: You are Kalibos? Your wife sent me to deliver this package. I think it might be some kind of offering.
- Kalibos: Zeuxo is a good woman. She's gifted me with a basket fit for Dionysos.
- Kassandra: Earthly pleasures? She made it sound like it was a case of life and death.
Kalibos and his troops turn cheerful.
- Kalibos: A deathly hangover, maybe. Boys, we're having a good night! Care to join us, friend?
(If players choose "How can you drink before battle?")
- Kassandra: Are you sure you want your soldiers this intoxicated while in the field?
- Kalibos: I must have misjudged you. Are you not also a Spartan? The only thing we're better at than fighting is drinking.
- Kassandra: I see your point.
- Kassandra: I never say no to good wine and good company.
- Kalibos: I expected no less from you.
- Kassandra: Thank you for offering. I don't like to dull my senses this close to battle. I will stay and keep you and your men company through the night.
- Kalibos: Chaperoned by a messenger of Zeus? This will be interesting.
They spent day and night feasting, and woke up the next day with headaches.
- Spartan Light Soldier: Could someone pass the waterskin?
Kalibos groans.
- Kalibos: Could someone pass my head? I think I left it further down the beach.
(If players chose to feast with them.) Kassandra slurs a bit.
- Kassandra: Surely this is the after effects of the mushrooms. I remember the chicken coop. I remember the farmer's field. I do not remember building a wikipedia:Trojan horse.
Kalibos turns around to also look at the large wooden horse.
- Spartan Light Soldier: Uh, it was just here when I woke up.
- Kalibos: We offer it to the gods for safe passage across the seas! Boys, let's move this down to the beach!
(If players chose to feast and not drink with them.)
- Kassandra: I didn't even drink last night. Why am I seeing a Trojan horse?
Kalibos turns around to also look at the large wooden horse.
- Kalibos: We can offer it to Poseidon Earth-Shaker for safe passage across the sea!
- Kassandra: Careful, this was a trap the last time.
Regardless, they prepare to do so.
- Spartan Brute: I don't trust that horse.
Almost a dozen Athenians broke out of the horse and charged at them.
- Kalibos: By Zeus, I can't believe I fell for that.
- Athenian Heavy Soldier: For Athens!
- Spartan Light Soldier: For Sparta!
- Athenian Archer: I can't believe they fell for that.
They won the battle after killing them all. Kassandra talked to Kalibos for the last time while observing the broken horse.
- Kalibos: I once boasted to a friend that I was a better tactician than Odysseus himself... Today I was proven wrong.
- Kassandra: You live to fight another day. Learn from this.
- Kalibos: Please thank my wife for her festive gift.
- Kassandra: I don't know if I should thank her or curse her.
Outcome
Kassandra presumed the help asked by Zeuxo would be something else, but a delivery of liquor to a camp of Spartans, with her husband planning for a feast, has led to a replication of a legendary event the next morning.
Gallery
