(Start of season 2) Mycenae

Season 2 Chapter 36: On the road to a city of power

We made our way to Mycenae with determination, refusing to let our recent loss weigh us down. The capital of the once-great King Agamemnon stood tall, its towering buildings and sprawling farms stretching before us as we followed the lead Aerys had found.

“Are you sure that this shield is here at this annual auction?” Noor asked Aerys, wanting to ensure we hadn’t wasted our time traveling to a city that wasn’t in our original plans.

“The shield being here? I’m certain. It’s the talk of the town. But whether it’s one of Kayn’s artifacts from his past...that, I can’t be sure about,” Aerys defended herself.

“Alright, but if we came all this way for nothing, that’s on you,” Noor said with a smirk.

“Right, you all. Anyone know anything about this city?” I asked from the front, leading the caravan.

“I’ve been here a couple of times with Father for diplomatic matters. It’s a... well, it’s a city, alright,” Aerys said with a soft laugh.

“Alright, so is it as shitty as Corinthos?” Noor teased, clearly enjoying getting under Aerys’s skin.

“Don’t know, never been there,” Aerys said with a proud smirk.

“Don’t go. It’s a shithole,” Iris added, sharing a laugh with her cousin.

“Are you going to let them talk about your city like that?” Noor asked Entinos, giving him a playful jab.

“Yes,” Entinos replied bluntly. “That place is indeed a shithole.”

That earned a hearty laugh from the group, except for Noor, who looked irritated at her failed attempt to spark some banter.

“What about you, Ikaro? Heard anything on the road about Mycenae?” I asked, eager to gather as much information as possible before entering the city.

“Not much. Never been there. I only know the basics, it’s one of the most important cities in Greece, overflowing with wealth and, of course, corruption. Those two always go hand in hand. It was once the city of the great Agamemnon, but since that golden era, it has become a tax haven for those who profit from the hard labor of the weak. On the bright side is a trading heaven so we can get some good stuff from the spoils of our battles.” He explained.

“Right. Doesn’t sound that appealing. What’s so special about this auction, then?” I asked Aerys, intrigued.

“Alongside Athens, it’s the biggest auction in all of Greece and a prime spot for political maneuvering. You’ll find nobles from distant cities trying to secure favors or earn them by playing their cards right. If you want my personal opinion, it’s a pit of snakes, all waiting to sink their fangs into each other to see who comes out on top,” Aerys said, her tone turning serious.

Noor let out a nostalgic chuckle at the description. “Reminds me of home.”
____

As we continued our debrief and scouting, we approached the towering gates of Mycenae. The massive stone walls loomed over us, weathered by time yet still formidable. A group of guards patrolled the entrance, their bronze armor gleaming under the midday sun. The moment they spotted us, one of them stepped forward, hand resting on the hilt of his sword.

“Halt! State your business!” the guard barked from atop the walls, his voice laced with suspicion.

I took a step forward, keeping my posture relaxed yet authoritative. As the de facto leader, it was my role to speak first. “Greetings! We are travelers from across Greece, seeking trade and the opportunity to witness the magnificence of Mycenae.”

The guard narrowed his eyes, exchanging whispers with another beside him. “Do you have a permit for trading?”

I felt my jaw tighten. “Is that necessary? Is our cart not proof enough that we mean no harm?” I asked, irritation creeping into my tone.

A tense silence fell over the group as more guards subtly moved into position along the walls, their hands drifting toward their weapons. Iris noticed it first, her hand instinctively gripping the hilt of her dagger.

“Kayn… I don’t like this,” she muttered, nodding toward the emerging soldiers.

Neither did I. Something about the way they were positioning themselves felt wrong....too rehearsed, too aggressive. Were they preparing for a fight? Or were they merely intimidating us into backing down? My mind raced through possibilities. We could try to talk our way in, but if this turned into a battle, we were at a disadvantage from their high ground and fortification. My hands itched for my weapons, my body instinctively preparing for a confrontation.

The guard hesitated before responding. “I’m sorry, sir, but without a permit, we can’t let you in. Security has tightened with the auction approaching, and—”

A deep, commanding voice interrupted from behind the guards. “What’s going on here?!”

The guards straightened instantly. “Sir!” The one addressing me saluted. “Just travelers without a permit.”

“Let me see,” the captain ordered, stepping forward to inspect us. His eyes scanned the group, sharp and assessing, before freezing the moment they landed on Aerys. His expression shifted from stern professionalism to one of surprise.

“Let them in,” he said after a beat. “I know them. They mean no harm.”

The guard hesitated. “But Captain, protocol—”

“I said open the doors,” the captain repeated, his tone leaving no room for argument.

The guards obeyed, and with a loud groan, the heavy gates of Mycenae creaked open before us.
Even as we were granted entry, a cold sense of unease settled in my gut. Something about this didn’t sit right with me. Why had the captain reacted like that upon seeing Aerys? Why the excessive security? I glanced at my companions, meeting their wary expressions.

“Stay sharp,” I whispered. “I don’t like this.”
____
As we approached the gates, a young man clad in Mycenaean armor stepped forward to meet us. His stance was firm, shoulders squared with the discipline of a seasoned soldier, yet he carried himself with a practiced ease. confidence forged through experience rather than arrogance. His sharp brown eyes swept over us, assessing, and a faint scar traced down from his cheekbone to his jaw, a subtle testament to past battles. He exuded the quiet authority of someone accustomed to command, his expression carefully measured, until his gaze landed on Aerys. For a moment, his hardened demeanor cracked into surprise.

Aerys hesitated, her breath hitching slightly as if unsure her eyes weren’t deceiving her. Then recognition dawned, and a grin spread across her face. “By the gods...Kleon!” she exclaimed, stepping forward with an uncharacteristic warmth before wrapping her arms around him.

“Aerys!” Kleon responded, his initial shock giving way to genuine joy as he returned the embrace with a hearty laugh. “What in Hades’ name are you doing here? Shouldn’t you be in Sparta, making your father miserable?”

Aerys smirked, pushing a strand of hair behind her ear. “I should, but I decided I needed some fresh air… away from the old man.”

Kleon chuckled, shaking his head. “Never change, Aerys. Never change.”

As the moment passed, his sharp gaze shifted toward the rest of us, his posture subtly shifting into one of scrutiny, the look of a man trained to gauge potential threats. Aerys caught on and took the lead. “Kleon, these are my friends.” She introduced each of us in turn, her voice carrying an air of trust.

“Pleasure to meet you,” I said, extending my hand.

Kleon’s grip was strong but measured, firm enough to establish his presence without an unnecessary display of dominance. “The pleasure is mine, Kayn.” His expression was friendly, but there was a calculated edge to his eyes, as if he were silently sizing me up.

“He’s an old friend,” Aerys clarified, crossing her arms. “His family has been an close friend of mine since before I was born. Kleon, how in the world did you end up in Mycenae?”

Kleon rested a hand on the hilt of his sword, a casual yet deliberate motion. “After finishing my training and military service, I took mercenary contracts and freelancing for a while. Eventually, I caught the attention of the former captain of the city guard. He saw something in me and offered me a position. When he retired, I was named his successor. Been running the guard ever since.”

Aerys raised an eyebrow, crossing her arms. “And they let a Spartan be captain of the guard?
Mycenae must be more **** than I thought.”

Kleon smirked. “They value competence over bloodlines, at least in certain matters.”

His expression turned serious as he gestured toward the city. “Come, let’s talk somewhere more private. My home isn’t far.”

____
We followed him through the winding streets, the air buzzing with the distant hum of city life. Merchants called out to passersby, the scent of roasted meat and fresh bread wafting through the air, mingling with the less pleasant odors of unwashed bodies and livestock.

Kleon’s home was modest but well-kept, a place that spoke of function rather than excess. It bore the markings of a man who lived with discipline, simple furnishings, a rack of polished weapons mounted on the wall, a table worn from years of use but sturdy as ever. He motioned for us to sit as he fetched drinks, pouring wine for those who wanted it and water for those who declined.

“So,” he said, settling into a chair across from us. “What brings you here?”

I gave Aerys a nod to explain. She hesitated for a beat before speaking. “We’re here for the auction. We’re searching for a specific item.”

Kleon stroked his short beard, intrigued. “The auction? Even I don’t have the money or prestige to gain access beyond my duty as a guard.”

Aerys looked at me again, her hesitation clear. She trusted him, but she wasn’t about to spill everything without the group’s consent.
Eventually, she took a measured breath and spoke. “We’re after the grand prize. There’s talk of a shield.”

Kleon’s brow furrowed. “Ah, yes. I’ve heard the rumors. The royal hoplites have been assigned to guard it, which means it’s something extraordinary. I haven’t seen it myself, but those who have claim it’s… beyond anything they’ve ever laid eyes on. The craftsmanship is said to be otherworldly.”

Ikaro leaned forward, curiosity lighting up his face. “Who found it? If it’s as important as they say, it must have a significant history.”

Kleon took a sip of his drink, considering his words. “It was discovered by a noble, one from your city, actually.” He gestured toward Ikaro, Iris, and me.

Ikaro and I exchanged wary glances. “Huh,” I muttered. “This noble...fat, long beard?”

Kleon nodded. “Yes, but that describes half the nobles I know.”

“Does he always have two whores clinging to him wherever he goes?” Ikaro added, narrowing his eyes.

Kleon’s lips twitched with amusement. “Yes… why?”

I exhaled sharply, rubbing my temples. “Please tell me his name isn’t Vassos.”

Kleon frowned slightly. “It is. Vassos of Helos.”

Ikaro and I locked eyes, already dreading what this meant. At the same time, we muttered in unison, “Fuck.”

A knot of frustration twisted in my stomach. Of all the people who could have stumbled upon the shield, it had to be that insufferable bastard. I clenched my jaw, already anticipating the headache that dealing with him would bring. If Vassos was involved, this was bound to be more complicated, and more dangerous, than we had anticipated.