Kassandra:Why doesn't Barnabas think something is wrong with his nephew?
Civilian:It's just... Neleus was a legendary nuisance growing up. He lied. He cheated. He brawled and broke things.
Kassandra:Some of us grow out of that.
Civilian:Well, now Neleus is a serious athlete, training to be an Olympic champion. And what's more, he's family to Barnabas.
Kassandra:That is important.
(Accept – I'll see what's going on.)
Kassandra:I'll help Barnbas' nephew however I can.
Civilian:Neleus lives with his caretaker, Mikkos. Their house is just up the hill north of here.
Kassandra travelled to Mikkos' House. As she approached, she heard a loud argument coming from inside the house.
Barnabas:The amount of times this boy's been "too sick to work" only to hear, not two hours later, he's in the fields with his friends. By Zeus!
Mikkos:He's grown since you've been gone. He's not a kid anymore.
Barnabas:Ah, but still up to his old tricks, if you ask me.
Mikkos:Listen to reason, Barnabas. I saw him vomiting myself. And now he's like this!
Kassandra entered the house to see Barnabas and Mikkos standing over Neleus, who lay on a mat on the ground.
Barnabas:He's faking it, Mikkos. I've seen this routine before. Gods! Grant me Penelope's patience.
Neleus groaned in his sleep.
Mikkos:It's not just Neleus. There have been others. All promising young athletes turning up sick or missing. Something's not right in Thasos.
Barnabas:What goes on across Thasos is not my concern. But I know my nephew. Ah, yes. He practically worships at the altar of Aergia. A devotee of sloth and idleness, he is.
Mikkos:Aietes was the last one to be with Neleus when he was well.
Kassandra:They were friends?
Mikkos:They were. If he doesn't know anything, you could talk to the doctor at the quarry.
Kassandra:If he's the local doctor, he's bound to know something.
(If players choose "What more can you tell me about the Champion's Gymnasium?")
Kassandra:What more can you tell me about this gymnasium? You say other athletes have disappeared?
Mikkos:Many, yes. A lot of the athletes came here to train from elsewhere across the Greek world, so when they disappear, people think they maybe just went home.
Kassandra:A convenient story if something bad were happening to them.
Mikkos:Exactly.
(If players choose "Where is the quarry?")
Kassandra:I'd like to have a word with that doctor at the quarry.
Mikkos:The Aliki Quarry is at the southern point of Thasos. The doctor there is mixed up with training athletes and the workers.
Kassandra:Sounds like a strange connection.
Mikkos:Yes, until you realize half of the workers are athletes who have given up on their training. Something's happened to them, and that doctor is the only connection I see.
(If players choose "Where can I find Aietes?")
Kassandra:The last person to see Neleus before he got sick was Aietes. Where can I find him?
Mikkos:He's an aspiring athlete, too, but nowhere near as talented as Neleus. He trains alone on the outskirts of the Vineyard of Glory. You're sure to find him there.
(Leave – "I'll look into these leads.")
Kassandra:I'll follow up on these leads and check back when I know what's going on.
Mikkos:Thank you, misthios. And feel free to "check back" any time.
(The player can talk to Mikkos again in the house)
Mikkos:You're back! Neleus hasn't gotten any better. But maybe you're here to see me instead?
Kassandra:I've been thinking about you and wanted to see you again. I won't pretend otherwise.
Mikkos:You've stormed into my life like a creature from the summit of Olympus itself. It's safe to say I've been thinking about you, too.
Kassandra:We should probably leave our feelings aside...for now.
Mikkos:For the sake of Neleus.
Kassandra:Yes.
Kassandra:We can't do this now.
Mikkos:I know, I know. It's just -
Kassandra:What happened to Neleus is still an open question. I need to get to work.
Kassandra:I have some questions.
Mikkos:Is there anything I can do to help?
(goes back to the questions above)
Outcome[]
Kassandra agreed to help Mikkos investigate what was wrong with Neleus.
Trivia[]
The advice that Kassandra gives Barnabas about Neleus has a decisive influence on the outcome of the entire quest line. If the player choses to tell Barnabas that "Neleus needs tough love", then both Neleus and Mikkos will not survive Retribution.
Behind the scenes[]
The two Barnabases
After Kassandra sailed to Mikkos' dock and walked up the path to speak with Barnabas and Mikkos in Mikkos' house, she left the house and looked down the cliffside at the Adrestia, only to see that Barnabas was not just standing behind her in the house, but also on the deck of the ship below. Strangely, Kassandra made no comment on this disturbing discovery.
