Yes,but Ikaro invites

The walk to the tavern was a welcome reprieve from the adrenaline-filled chaos of the heist. Ikaro and I chatted in hushed tones, dissecting every detail of the operation. The thrill of outwitting Vassos was still fresh, but so was the unease lingering in the back of my mind. Arbos—how had his day gone? Had he uncovered anything to shed light on my situation?
The streets of the town were quieter now, the noise of daily trade giving way to the soft hum of distant voices and the occasional bark of a dog. As we approached the tavern, the warm glow of its lanterns spilled onto the cobblestone road, accompanied by the comforting sound of laughter and clinking mugs.

“Think he’ll know what we’ve been up to?” I asked, glancing at Ikaro.

Ikaro smirked. “Father always knows. He just likes to make us sweat before he says it.”

We stepped inside, and the lively atmosphere enveloped us. The smell of roasted meat and spilled ale was thick in the air. It didn’t take long to find Arbos; he was sitting at a corner table, his broad shoulders and commanding presence impossible to miss. He looked relaxed, but there was always a sharpness to his eyes, a readiness that never seemed to leave him.

“There he is,” Ikaro muttered, nodding toward the table.
We made our way over, weaving through the crowd of townsfolk. As we reached him, Arbos glanced up, his expression unreadable.

“Evening, Father,” Ikaro greeted, taking a seat. I followed suit.
Arbos nodded. “Ikaro. Kayn.” He raised a hand to signal the waitress, ordering three pints with a simple gesture before turning his attention back to us. His eyes lingered on our faces, the faintest smirk tugging at the corner of his mouth.

“You two look like you’ve been sparring with a chimera. Care to explain?”

Ikaro shrugged, clearly aiming for nonchalance. “Just a long day at work.”

“Work,” Arbos repeated, his tone dripping with skepticism. “Funny thing—I heard there was a fire on the other side of town. Rumor has it Vassos’ estate was robbed while everyone was busy putting it out. Quite the coincidence, wouldn’t you say?”

The knowing glint in his eyes told me he was testing us, waiting to see who would crack first.

I leaned back, doing my best to look unbothered. “We delivered Gregory’s packages, then Ikaro spent the rest of the day giving me a grand tour of the city.”

“And those bruises?” Arbos pressed, arching an eyebrow.

“Oh, these?” I pointed to the fresh scrape on my cheek, grinning. “Let’s just say Ikaro’s charm didn’t work on a married woman, and I had to step in to save him from her husband.”

Ikaro groaned, burying his face in his hands. “Unbelievable. I hate you.”

Arbos chuckled, shaking his head. “Well, if Vassos had a bad day, I won’t lose sleep over it. That man’s been a plague on this town for years.”

The waitress arrived with our drinks, setting them down with a practiced efficiency. Arbos raised his mug, taking a long sip before leaning back in his chair.

“How was your day, Father?” Ikaro asked, clearly eager to steer the conversation away from our misadventures.
Arbos’ expression shifted, the lighthearted banter giving way to a more serious demeanor. “Productive,” he said after a moment. “The trades went well—good drachms and plenty of seeds for the farm.”

“That’s good,” I said, lowering my voice. “And… did you hear anything about my situation?”

Arbos set his mug down with deliberate care, his brow furrowing. “Yes.”

Ikaro and I exchanged a glance before leaning in, the din of the tavern fading into the background as Arbos began to speak.

“Some folks mentioned seeing the meteor, but most dismissed it as nothing more than a strange event. The Archon, however, took notice. He sent his militia to the crater the day after we visited. They’ve locked it down—no one gets in without his explicit approval.”

I frowned. “Do you think the Archon knows something we don’t?”

“I doubt it,” Arbos said. “But he’s thorough, and he doesn’t take risks. Still, I don’t think his search will amount to much. What’s more concerning is what I heard beyond the meteor.”

He leaned in closer, his voice dropping to a near-whisper. “There are reports—sightings of creatures. At first, I thought it was the usual trouble—rogue centaurs or satyrs stirring up mischief. But this is different. Chimeras, Ichthian, other monsters—organizing into warbands, attacking farms and villages.”

Ikaro’s face hardened. “Warbands? That’s not mischief; that’s an invasion.”

“Exactly,” Arbos said grimly. “The sightings are concentrated in the south, near Mycenae. Some say they’ve seen a hydra roaming the fields.”

“Are the leaders of Sparta not doing anything about it?” I ask Arbos

“They’re too preoccupied with the Persians to pay it much attention. They’ve sent a few patrols, but none have returned. Rumors are spreading—whispers of a large-scale attack brewing.”

Ikaro’s jaw tightened. “A war with the old creatures could tear Greece apart.”

“That’s what worries me,” Arbos said. “But what’s most disturbing is the timing. This sudden aggression feels orchestrated. And Chiron? There’s been no word from him. That alone should set off alarm bells. He would never stand for this.”

“So who is really in charge then?” I say

A heavy silence settled over the table. Finally, Arbos spoke again, his voice heavy with meaning.

“Kayn,” he said, fixing me with a piercing gaze. “I can’t ignore the possibility that all of this is connected to you. Your arrival, the meteor, the unrest—it’s too much to be a coincidence. Someone sent you here, and I think it’s for a reason.”

Ikaro looked incredulous. “You’re not saying the gods sent him, are you?”

Arbos shrugged. “I don’t know. But if not the gods, then who? And why now? Everything feels wrong, like a storm brewing over Greece. If we can sense it, so can the gods. They won’t sit idle.”

I shook my head, overwhelmed. “Why me? What makes me special?”

Arbos studied me for a moment before answering. “I can’t say for sure. But if what Iris said is true—about your hidden skills, your ability to adapt—then there’s more to you than meets the eye. Maybe there’s a power inside you, waiting to awaken.”

Ikaro leaned forward. “What are you suggesting, Father?”

Arbos drained the last of his drink, a small smirk returning to his face. “I think it’s time I visited some old friends in Sparta.”