Roxana:They're lousy sparring partners, every last one. I need professionals to practice with before the Battle of One Hundred Hands. I need a champion.
Kassandra:Maybe your "champion" has arrived.
Roxana:Is that right? If you're serious, I'm a sanctioned competitor in the battle. You practice with me, and Drakios will let both of us officially enter.
Kassandra:I'm just a working misthios, not a "champion". Still, I might be able to help you with your problem.
Roxana:Well, I won't be able to pay you in any traditional way, but I am a sanctioned competitor in the Battle. If you train with me, we can both officially enter.
Kassandra:This battle-
Roxana:The Battle of One Hundred Hands is the most grueling contest in the Greek world. The body count is high, and the chance of success low. Are you sure that's something you want to train for?
Kassandra:Killing's what I do, and I do it well.
Roxana:You have the right attitude, I'll give you that. But you can't simply power your way to victory in the Battle of One Hundred Hands. It takes preparation.
Kassandra:I'm prepared to work hard. The rest lies with the Fates.
Roxana:Humility is a fine trait in a warrior—as long as it's hiding true ferocity below the surface. That's what's needed in the Battle.
(If players asked "Why do you want to fight in the Battle?")
Kassandra:If this battle is so difficult, why enter it at all?
Roxana:I'm not from a family of means, champion, and have always dreamed about the Hundred-Hands purse. My father, my brother tried to win it years ago. Even my mother entered last time, and now they're all gone. Dead.
Roxana:I don't care about the drachmae, not now. I need to save my family's legacy from the edge of yet another champion's blade - I need to win and become like a hero of old.
(If players asked "What makes you think you can win?")
Kassandra:If the battle's so hard, why do you think you'll win?
Roxana:I train at all hours until my body gives out. Before bed, I make offerings to Ares. I wake in the night to strategize. And then... I rise in the morning to do it all again.
Kassandra:That's an impressive amount of work.
Roxana:If I don't win the Battle, at least I'll know I've done all I can.
(If players asked "Where's Drakios?")
Kassandra:You mentioned I should talk to Drakios about officially entering the Battle. Where can I find him?
Roxana:He's usually in the town on Melos - doesn't go far.
(If players chose "I think I can handle the Battle.")
Kassandra:Let's say I want to fight in the Battle of One Hundred Hands...
Roxana:Then fight me and prove you are a worthy training companion.
(Accept – "Let's fight.")
Kassandra:You asked for it.
The two women drew their weapons and began to spar.
Roxana:Come on, misthios.
Roxana managed to strike Kassandra.
Kassandra: That hurt.
Roxana:Ooh, I've made you angry. Stings, doesn't it, champion?
Kassandra:I've felt worse.
Roxana:You're cute when you're angry.
Kassandra:What?
Roxana giggled.
Kassandra:I'm not angry.
Roxana:Of course not.
The match continued.
Roxana:You need to push me! Are you even trying? Nice move.
Roxana being helped up by Kassandra
Kassandra eventually defeated Roxana and knocked her down. She sheathed her weapons and offered her hand. Roxana grasped it and Kassandra helped her up to her feet.
Roxana:It seems you are the champion I've been looking for. A real Spartan, if I'm right.
Kassandra:You are.
Roxana:I sensed it in the way you fought. Aggressive, but not reckless. My name's Roxana.
Kassandra:Kassandra.
Roxana:Next on the agenda is archery training. Are you ready?
Kassandra:I'm ready.
Roxana:So eager! Well, a shipment of wolves has wrecked on shore nearby. They were meant to be part of the Battle, but now, they're our practice targets.
Kassandra:Let's go hunting.
Kassandra left with Roxana to hunt the wolves.
Kassandra:I have other things to attend to first.
Roxana:When you're ready, there's a shipwreck on the north coast of the island. Meet me there.
Roxana took her leave, hinting a mild annoyance at the delay, to which Kassandra raised an eyebrow. She eventually met up with her at the shipwreck.
The game used to have a bug wherein this quest was rendered unavailable if Roxana was spoken to before speaking with Drakios and getting the Call to Arms quest, only leaving the option to pay to start The Great Contender. After patch 1.06 this quest was rendered completely unavailable, even if the player had acquired Call to Arms before setting foot on the Hydrea island.
As of October 2019, the quest no longer bugs, and the questchain is possible to complete even before talking with Drakios.