Sharp Lessons was a virtual representation of one of Kassandra's genetic memories, relived by Layla Hassan through the Portable Animus HR-8.5.
Description[]
Thyia, acting General of Lalaia, asked Kassandra to meet her at Kephisos Spring to discuss strategy.
Dialogue[]
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 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: 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.
(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 have become the leader of the Daughters of Artemis)
- Kassandra: I've run into them before.
- Thyia: I won't pry.
(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.
Outcome[]
Kassandra briefly trained Thyia in combat, then outlined their defense strategy for Lalaia.
Trivia[]
- If the player has not become leader of the Daughters of Artemis by completing Artemis's Request prior to completing this quest, Daughters of Artemis and Daughters of Aphrodite will be locked out and unavailable, even if the player becomes leader afterwards.
Gallery[]
