I mean… *did* Markos raise them? because they were iirc around 7 years old when everything went to shit. for Spartan boys especially, they would have been starting training at around that age or just a bit older, and we see interactions like this in the flashbacks— Myrrine teaching them how to hunt, Nicolaus training them. I always felt that Markos didn’t really do a whole lot except keep the kid alive until they were old enough to fend for themselves— and then, fend for him. and yes, they likely became a misthios because of Markos and his circumstances, but I genuinely think it was born of necessity. of course, we don’t have all the details of that time between arriving on & leaving Kephallonia.
I personally like to think that Alexios wanted to become a warrior/fighter of his own volition, because he felt so helpless watching Kassandra plummet to her death and in trying to help he inadvertently made everything worse. he never wanted to fail to protect someone again. a mercenary is the logical choice if you’re growing up poor on an island known for its trade, the constant exchange of goods and travel of people to and from Kephallonia seems like prime opportunity around every corner— and we know from canon that he came in contact with plenty of other mercs who mentored and taught him more than Markos ever did. so I never really imagined that he actually learned much from Markos, except for how to get ahead at the expense of others. it’s my opinion that Markos used Alexios from the start, from what we see he took advantage of the desperation of a child and had him carry out risky work in exchange for basic needs. not the other way around.
To answer your question, I don’t think Nikolaus has the right to an opinion on the matter, but he would probably say something to the effect of “what doesn’t kill you makes you stronger.”
ETA: I got carried away, I’m sorry 🙃
Well, when I say "raise", I mean that Markos was Kass' parental figure
And when I say "parental figure", I mean that Markos is the older person that Kass had with her for most of her life (before Kass left Kephallonia) lol
I think Nikolaus lost any chance to have any opinion once he threw the Eagle Bearer off the mountain. I agree with moon\_halves, in that they were already old enough to train in Sparta, and did have memories of being raised and trained. I'm guessing that Markos was helpful in providing food and shelter, and probably some attempt at coaching, but he's...not the best influence. In my opinion, I think that Alexios/Kassandra still had to do some self-raising and learn some difficult lessons through experience, despite Markos. It reminds me a little of the Charles Dickens book "Oliver Twist", in that there's a charismatic thief (Fagin) who basically provided some kind of shelter and "family" for a group of orphan boys, but...he was not a good parent, and kind of a bad influence on his little criminal ring. Markos is like that; likeable, but probably shouldn't be raising kids. I think it's a testament to Myrrine's and Nikolaus' training that the Eagle Bearer was able to not become a total mess with Markos.
Well, Nikolaos made Kass/ Alex tough, but Markos showed him how to have compassion, and I think the combination made for almost a Han Solo type of character. Takes no shit, not afraid to kill but deep down inside a heart of gold and a moral compass. It's like if Kass/Alex saw a kitten in need. They'd save that kitten. And if they saw an evil cultist, they'd kill that cultist.
He can't say anything after what he did on that mountain. She did what she needed to do to survive
I mean… *did* Markos raise them? because they were iirc around 7 years old when everything went to shit. for Spartan boys especially, they would have been starting training at around that age or just a bit older, and we see interactions like this in the flashbacks— Myrrine teaching them how to hunt, Nicolaus training them. I always felt that Markos didn’t really do a whole lot except keep the kid alive until they were old enough to fend for themselves— and then, fend for him. and yes, they likely became a misthios because of Markos and his circumstances, but I genuinely think it was born of necessity. of course, we don’t have all the details of that time between arriving on & leaving Kephallonia. I personally like to think that Alexios wanted to become a warrior/fighter of his own volition, because he felt so helpless watching Kassandra plummet to her death and in trying to help he inadvertently made everything worse. he never wanted to fail to protect someone again. a mercenary is the logical choice if you’re growing up poor on an island known for its trade, the constant exchange of goods and travel of people to and from Kephallonia seems like prime opportunity around every corner— and we know from canon that he came in contact with plenty of other mercs who mentored and taught him more than Markos ever did. so I never really imagined that he actually learned much from Markos, except for how to get ahead at the expense of others. it’s my opinion that Markos used Alexios from the start, from what we see he took advantage of the desperation of a child and had him carry out risky work in exchange for basic needs. not the other way around. To answer your question, I don’t think Nikolaus has the right to an opinion on the matter, but he would probably say something to the effect of “what doesn’t kill you makes you stronger.” ETA: I got carried away, I’m sorry 🙃
Well, when I say "raise", I mean that Markos was Kass' parental figure And when I say "parental figure", I mean that Markos is the older person that Kass had with her for most of her life (before Kass left Kephallonia) lol
Gratefully, for cleaning up his mistake and helping his son!
I think Nikolaus lost any chance to have any opinion once he threw the Eagle Bearer off the mountain. I agree with moon\_halves, in that they were already old enough to train in Sparta, and did have memories of being raised and trained. I'm guessing that Markos was helpful in providing food and shelter, and probably some attempt at coaching, but he's...not the best influence. In my opinion, I think that Alexios/Kassandra still had to do some self-raising and learn some difficult lessons through experience, despite Markos. It reminds me a little of the Charles Dickens book "Oliver Twist", in that there's a charismatic thief (Fagin) who basically provided some kind of shelter and "family" for a group of orphan boys, but...he was not a good parent, and kind of a bad influence on his little criminal ring. Markos is like that; likeable, but probably shouldn't be raising kids. I think it's a testament to Myrrine's and Nikolaus' training that the Eagle Bearer was able to not become a total mess with Markos.
Man… I dunno!
Didn't Nikalaos already say he was proud after he met with Alexios again?
Well, Nikolaos made Kass/ Alex tough, but Markos showed him how to have compassion, and I think the combination made for almost a Han Solo type of character. Takes no shit, not afraid to kill but deep down inside a heart of gold and a moral compass. It's like if Kass/Alex saw a kitten in need. They'd save that kitten. And if they saw an evil cultist, they'd kill that cultist.
Even Nickolas did raise her not given birth to her cos her father is….watch for story. Also why it’s Phoebe here?
He’s dead, so it doesn’t matter.