Kassandra met with Thyia at the waterfall basin outside Lalaia.
Thyia:Good to see your face again.
Kassandra:Yours too.
Thyia:Lalaia is the daughter of Kephisos, god of this spring. It's said that she lives in these pools.
She turned to face the waterfall.
Kassandra:Thyia, right? Periktione told me you've been acting as general. Though, from what I saw earlier, you and your sister don't see eye to eye.
Thyia:Peri would die folded in prayer before she asked for my advice.
Kassandra:Sometimes we want a comforting voice that says everything will be OK, rather than to be confronted with harsh reality.
Kassandra:Her distraction has allowed the Sons of Xerxes to advance.
Thyia:And now we are on the knife's edge waiting for the slaughter and we have done nothing. I must prepare myself to fight and hopefully the others too. Can you teach me?
Kassandra accepting Thyia's challenge
Kassandra:Your sister says you act like a general. Let's see if you fight like one.
Thyia:I'm ready.
They drew their weapons. Kassandra administered a few strikes.
Thyia:I told you not to go easy on me!
Kassandra hit harder in response.
Thyia:You hit hard.
Thyia defeated by Kassandra
Eventually, Kassandra subdued Thyia and put her on her knees. She stood slowly.
Thyia:Well, that was humbling.
Kassandra:The Sons of Xerxes won't be as kind.
Thyia:No, it's a good wake up call. One I wish Peri could have. But big sister always knows best.
Kassandra:Sounds like she's always given you a hard time.
Thyia:You could say that. Acting like the hero while I do the dirty work.
Kassandra:Now you're the hero.
Thyia:One can only hope to live up to that title. I've been playing soldier too long, and now I'm stuck in the role of Perseus... while feeling like Andromeda.
Kassandra:Now you have the Eagle Bearer on your side.
Thyia:Then you'll be the Perseus to my Andromeda.
Kassandra:A village of women abandoned by their army and forced to take up the sword? Sounds like a story worth singing, to me.
Thyia:I don't care what songs they sing of my deeds, I care about protecting my sister and my village. If it is to my dying breath, then so be it, I will fight.
Kassandra:I seem to recall legend saying that Andromeda was nude and tied to a rock.
Thyia:Was she? I'll have to remember that the next time I'm reenacting the myth. Lalaia has a rich heritage for theater, though not so much for fighting.
(If players asked "What is the role of women in Lalaia?")
Kassandra:Spartan women are taught to keep up with Spartan men. Lalaia seems different.
Thyia:It is an oversight that I've been pushing to correct. When the men leave for war, our defenses are limited to a few hunters too valuable to leave, or young men who can barely hold a spear.
Kassandra:And now that the hunters are dead...
Thyia:We're more exposed to attacks from the Sons of Xerxes than ever.
(If players asked "Why aren't you the leader?")
Kassandra:I've seen kings and commanders. You share their temperament.
Thyia:Peri married the governor. I am unwed. Spinsters do not become leaders. We exist on the fringes.
Kassandra and Thyia discuss their strategy
(If players chose "There's still a lot to be done.")
Kassandra:We should get back to the task at hand. There's still a lot to do.
Thyia:You're right, but it's hard to know where to start. I need to train the others for war, but we are without weapons and armor. No blacksmith... but his daughter is still here.
Kassandra:What about the hunters you lost?
Thyia:We need to train replacements. There's also a camp close by—likely the Daughters of Artemis. They're not a friendly bunch, so we've been doing our best to avoid them.
(If players asked "Where can I find new hunters?")
Kassandra:Who should I train to hunt?
Thyia:I've met with some volunteers from the village. They've got a little experience, but need to have their bow arms straightened. You can find them on the edge of Lalaia.
(If players asked "What does the blacksmith's daughter need?")
Kassandra:Not sure how useful I'll be to the blacksmith's daughter.
Thyia:Methiadusa mentioned needing some materials before she can get started. Between you and me, she needs a little push. She's been helping her father at the forge since she could walk, but she still doubts her own abilities.
(Leave – "I should get started.")
Kassandra:I'll get to it.
The two women parted ways, and Kassandra set out to shore up Lalaia's defenses.