Kassandra:This line is ridiculous! Are there always this many people to see the Pythia?
Barnabas:These are more than just people! Every city sends a theoroi, or sacred ambassadors, to seek guidance on behalf of their people. The Pythia not only shapes the destinies of individuals, but of the entire Greek world.
Herodotos:Imagine what power one would have if they controlled what came out of her mouth.
Barnabas:Apollo controls this!
Herodotos:Of course he does.
(If "Why so much security?" is chosen)
Kassandra:Delphi is nothing like they say. Has it always been like this?
Barnabas:No. This was once an open and welcoming place. But war changes things. People seek out the Pythia for more political reasons. Prophecies in times of war often stir... violent emotions.
Herodotos:It's wise to keep your blades sheathed. Drawing blood in Delphi is considered an insult to Apollo. Punishment is severe.
([LEAVE] "I have questions for the Oracle.")
Kassandra:I have my own questions for the Pythia. But this line! I'll be an old woman by the time I see her.
Barnabas:You're joking! You carry more blades than a field of grass!
Kassandra:I didn't come here to start trouble.
Barnabas:Trouble? Just walk in! Who's going to stop you? The priest?
Kassandra:All right, but if things get out of hand, I'm blaming you, Barnabas.
Barnabas:Is she not every bit as great as I said?
Before speaking with the Pythia, Kassandra spoke to Barnabas and Herodotos again.
Barnabas:Can you feel that? It's as if the gods walk among us.
Herodotos:You fascinate me, misthios. I long for the day when we can sit, and drink, and tell tales.
Kassandra seeking access to meet the Pythia
Kassandra made her way to the priest at the entrance.
Kassandra:I'm here to see the Pythia.
Maron:Only those chosen by the light of Apollo may enter.
Kassandra:How does one get chosen?
Maron:One goes to the back of the line.
Kassandra:Do I look like someone who waits in line?
The priest allowed her to enter. Kassandra found the Oracle chanting in candlelight.
Pythia:Enter into the light of Apollo, the light that illuminates shadow. Choose your question wisely, mortal. For you have but one. Speak truth seeker!
Kassandra:I lost my mother when I was young. I have to find her. Where is she?
Kassandra:I'm looking for my father—my true father. Who is he?
The Pythia
Pythia:It's you! From the visions! The child on the mountain.
Kassandra:How could you know that?
Pythia:You need to leave. Now.
Kassandra:Leave? Do you have any idea what I've been through to get here?
(If Kassandra let the priests execute the infected Kephallonians)
Pythia:Oh, but I do. I saw you feign ignorance in Kausos. You let an unknown sickness govern your decisions. Innocents died thanks to you.
(If Kassandra saved the infected Kephallonians)
Pythia:Oh, but I do. While in Kausos, you didn't cower in the face of the priest. A child and her family still live thanks to you.
(If Kasssandra spared the thieves in Megaris)
Pythia:Oh, but I do. There is wisdom in your decisions. Any other misthios would have killed those people in that cave in Megaris, but you held back for the truth, and balanced judgement with their lives.
Kassandra:But how?
Pythia:No one can hide from the light.
Kassandra:Please, I've come this far. You must have the answers I seek.
Pythia:Child of the Mountain, the Cult of Kosmos have eyes everywhere. They will kill you.
Kassandra:Cult of Kosmos?
Pythia:The Oracle has spoken. The prophecy is yours.
Thr Pythia escorted away
The guards took the Pythia and escorted her from the room.
Kassandra:You never answered my question!
Cult Guardian:The Pythia is done for the day.
Kassandra:I'm not leaving until I get answers.
Despite her protests, Kassandra is removed from the building, only to find Herodotos still outside the doors.
Kassandra:Herodotos, you're still here. Where's Barnabas?
Herodotos:He's gone back to your ship. You don't look happy with your prophecy.
Kassandra:She... knew who I was.
Herodotos:She's the Pythia, it's her business to act like she knows you.
Kassandra:That was no act. She said she had visions of me as a child on a mountain.
Herodotos:What child hasn't stood on a mountain?
Kassandra:I was thrown from that mountain. My life started and ended on that mountain. I'm telling you, she knew who I was. What I'd done. Tried to warn me...
Herodotos:Warn you? About what?
Kassandra:She mentioned the Cult of Kosmos. Does this mean anything to you?
Kassandra:Never mind, it's nothing.
Herodotos:There are people in Phokis who can't be trusted, Kassandra. But I'm not one of them. If you know something, you must act quickly. The Pythia's words control all our fates.
Kassandra:She mentioned the Cult of Kosmos. Does this mean anything to you?
Herodotos informing Kassandra of the Cult
Herodotos looked around for eavesdroppers, then motioned Kassandra further away from others.
Herodotos:I'd heard whispers. A cult, unlike any other, coming to Delphi. But I paid them no mind.
Kassandra:The Pythia seemed afraid of them. Guards took her away.
Herodotos:Took her away? Then the whispers were true! If this Cult has corrupted the Pythia... This is devastating news. Do you understand what this means? Through her, the Cult controls the world.
Kassandra:I need to speak with her when she's not so well... protected.
Herodotos:That would require a miracle from the gods. She is always protected.
(If "Where can I find the Pythia?" is chosen.)
Kassandra:You know more about the Pythia than I do. Where would she be?
Herodotos:When she's not in the Temple of Apollo, she's at her home in the Chora of Delphi.
(If "What does her home look like?" is chosen.)
Kassandra:I can't go breaking down every door until I find her.
Herodotos:The Oracle's home is probably easy enough to spot. She'd be the only person in the Chora of Delphi who can afford to live in luxury.
(If "Where in the Chora of Delphi would she be?" is chosen.)
Kassandra:Where in the Chora of Delphi does the Pythia live?
Herodotos:I've heard she lives on the outskirts of the village. But be warned: she will be guarded. Not everyone comes to see the Oracle with the best of intentions.
([LEAVE] "I'm going to find her.")
Kassandra:I'll find where the Pythia lives. And I will get answers.
Herodotos:Kassandra, don't forget: brute force is useless when finesse is required.
Kassandra learned the existence of the Cult of Kosmos, which was planning to kill her and controls the Pythia's words, and befriended Herodotus, who allied with her in her quest.