Chapter Text
“I see we keep running into each other, my dear!” Paul said to a wandering Kassandra.
She paused during her daily stroll through the Akrokorinth to greet a familiar voice, “Paul, it’s nice to see you again. How has Korinth been treating you?”
“It’s certainly not my first time here, but the blossoming trees never cease to amaze me,” he took a moment to take in the vibrant pink trees around them, “Walk with me for a moment?”
She followed him around the Akrokorinth as he began to converse with her in a way that reminded her ever so much of her old friend Sokrates. They made stops at all the altars as he regaled her with the tales of the good old days that never were.
He stopped her in front of the temple to Aphrodite and observed the worshippers for a moment, “Tell me, Kassandra, have you ever done something you regretted?”
She smiled at him, “Haven’t we all?” she thought back to all the times she wished she could have been faster, stronger, better for the people she loved. If only she had been faster to get to Phoibe in Athens. If only she had been stronger to save Brasidas from the Cult’s puppet, her own brother Alexios. If only she had been better, a step ahead to preserve the lives of those she loved. It had been centuries since then, but the pain still cut to the bone.
Though she hid her sadness well, Paul saw through it like a thin veil, “I do believe that is not an uncommon answer. We have all done something we wish we could take back. Will you allow me to tell you the story of my youth?”
She nodded.
“Once, when I was young and foolish, I did unspeakable things to people. I dragged men and women out of their houses for worshipping the one whom I speak for now. I threw those people in jail without a second thought,” he put his hand up to his chin,
“I was so overly self righteous and wrapped up in my own status that I thought I was doing the right thing. I remember one man in particular, St é fanos. The crowd drug him out to be stoned for preaching the good news. I watched as they picked up stones and started throwing them. I will never forget the sound of his bones breaking,” he stared into her eyes as if searching for the part of her memory that had seen the breaking of human bones too many times,
“He didn’t deserve it, but I was a different man and I held the cloaks of his murderers so that they could more efficiently hurt him. I have done some pretty terrible things in my day,” he stared off at the city below the temple mount.
Paul’s words caused Kassandra to think of her own family and all the pain and turmoil they had been put through. She certainly was no stranger to the weight of a heavy past.
“You’ve turned your life around since?” she asked as that familiar, friendly smile spread across his face, “I once knew someone very close to me that had to overcome great trials and tribulations to undo what he had done in his younger years. It is an uphill battle that only a few are capable of fighting. He was such a strong fighter though,” her voice trailed off.
“We all go through things, Kassandra, it’s just a matter of never forgetting our value inscribed in us by the Creator.”
She looked down at her sandals, she was never one for religion of any sorts even if Barnabas had insisted she was sent by the gods; she did appreciate both of their sentiments, however.
Her moment of nostalgia was cut short by the shouts of an angry man and the footsteps of a mob, “That’s him! I demand that you take this man away immediately.”
The centurions moved to grab at Paul and Kassandra formed a barrier between the two parties, “And what exactly has this man done to you, stranger?”
The man cried out, “He’s been spreading false teaching against God in our places of worship, I wouldn’t expect a pagan Greek like yourself to understand.”
His mob of fellow Jews jeered in approval. Kassandra huffed air through her nose and turned to the Roman centurions, she was not going to get far with the side that was already infuriated, “Tell me, has this man done anything to offend the Roman law?”
One of the centurions stared blankly at Kassandra and she made sure to rest her hand at her side, showing off her spatha . He swallowed hard and shook his head.
“You seem like an honorable soldier. This man is a Roman citizen and I suggest you leave him alone unless he proves to be truly worth your time,” she crossed her arms as the other centurions released Paul.
They backed away from them and left them with the crowd of angry Jews. Kassandra waved her hand at them, “Unless you want to be thrown from the Akrokorinth, I suggest you all to be on your way.”
The mob cut their losses and dispersed into the regular foot traffic.
Paul thanked her, “I appreciate your time, my dear, but I must be on my way. I have some friends coming in from Makedonia and I need to prepare for their arrival. If you ever find the need for some company, please seek me out.”
He shook her hand and she saw in him a realness that was so rare a quality these days.
“I feel like this won’t be the last time we meet. Farewell, Kassandra.”
“May the winds be at your back, Paul.”
He started down the steps of the Akrokorinth and she made her way to the edge that overlooked the main part of the city. Though much of the culture in Korinth had changed, the view stayed the same and she swore she could hear the faint laughter of her brother whistling through the wind.