Cassandra Pendragon

I had to suppress a smile when they introduced themselves. The two brothers were named Aaron and Balthazar, Corvin was the black furred kitsune, the redhead’s name was Diane and Evelyn completed the quintet. Reia caught my gaze and quickly hid her grin behind her hand. I wasn’t the only one who had picked up on their initials. At least I wouldn’t have much trouble memorising their names. Shrugging, I banished the thought to the back of my mind and focused on Corvin, who again had taken it upon himself to answer my question.

“For the family, the house, the crown,” he intoned solemnly, referring to the three instances, a kitsune owed loyalty to, one’s own family, the noble house they were associated with and ultimately the crown. “Our family has spoken, the wishes of our lord are clear. Before, there was a conflict between what might be best for our family, the people of our tribe and even the stance of our leaders was… ambivalent. Not anymore. There is no doubt in our minds, where our duty lies.”

My fur bristled, as I mulled over his words. Ambivalent… Sylvia had conceded quickly enough, when she had been confronted by me and later on my brother, but what had she done, beforehand? Had she already made her decision to exile me public? Did it matter?

“Leave us,” Arthur demanded, shooing them off with a gesture. “Remain close by, we’ll call you in later.” They bowed from their waist and filed through the door, one by one. When the lock snapped in place, he turned to his wife, his demeanour calm, but his voice icy. “Now then, explain. What have you done?” She swallowed dryly, her eyes darting from me to Ahri to my mom and back again. I would have pitied her, being forced to spill the beans in front of us was nothing short of a slap in the face, but she had made her bed and now she had to lie in it.

“I…,” to her credit, even though she struggled with her words, she didn’t avoid his gaze, “I did what I thought was right. Rising dead, soul eating curses, sorcerers from the ancient past? Arthur, this is bigger than us. We have a responsibility to our people, not the world. So yes, when we were confronted by magics of a bygone area and you were out of commission, I explored every option, even those you’re too… noble to consider. What more would you like to hear? That I’ve made a mistake? You’re right, I did.” She turned to me. “Still, I can’t apologise since I’d do it again in a heartbeat. My mistake wasn’t the seeming lack of loyalty to you, Cassandra, I… we can’t afford blind trust, but it was not thinking everything through properly. You’re right. Blaming, even banishing you would not accomplish anything. I should have kept my mouth shut, until I had met with you, but I didn’t. For that, I’m sorry.” I couldn’t help but wonder, if she was referring to my admission, that I would never have a child, who might challenge hers, or if she had become convinced, that the danger they were in wouldn’t diminish, even if they cut ties with me.

“An apology won’t cut it,” my mom projected. As far as I was aware, it was the first time she had spoken directly to anyone but Arthur. “I understand you Sylvia, probably better than you can imagine, but… do you still see yourself as a part of the Pendragon family, a royal of Boseiju or are you the queen of something new?”

“That’s not for me alone to decided,” she replied hesitantly.

“True, but I’m asking you. Who are you?”

“Don’t answer her,” Arthur interrupted. “Mother, you’re involved where your family is concerned, but that’s something we have to decide for ourselves and not with all of you present. While I’m willing to entertain you, for as long as it is about the slights you have had to endure by the hand of my people, I won’t have you meddle in our affairs.”

“And there is my answer,” she replied snidely, her tails twitching, her eyes glowing. “So it’s actually been you. I’d never have expected…”

“Choose your next words carefully,” my brother warned her. “This isn’t your palace and you only have as much power as I grant you. The time when you could lecture me is long over.” I chuckled softly, a resigned, almost sad sound. I detested politics. Everyone’s attention snapped to me in an instant but I sought only Ahri’s gaze. She nodded almost imperceptibly, her eyes filled with worry.

“You could have told me sooner,” I said, “if I had known I was a thorn in your sight, I wouldn’t have bothered coming here. So, those five,” I gesticulated towards the closed door, “are actually there to keep an eye on me and report back to you? What are you playing at, brother mine?”

“Cassy… I know what you must be thinking right now, but I’ve never even thought about cutting ties with you or anyone else. You know very well that I didn’t even leave of my own accord.”

“But that’s where you’re wrong,” I whisper hoarsely, quickly turning away to wipe my eyes. I was more hurt than I wanted to admit. “Just as much as it was your decision to leave us behind, it was you who renounced our claims, wasn’t it? Your affairs? Doesn’t that mean, we’re strangers?”

“I… no, but this isn’t Boseiju, either. This is my… our home and while you’re my sister, you’re not the one who built it up from scratch, are you?”

“Then, maybe, you shouldn’t have defended me, because from where I’m standing your people don’t agree. What are you going to do now?” He sighed.

“What I always have, I’m trying to make the best of it. Could you please not make everything worse than it needs to be? I do want you, all of you, close to me, but neither you, nor my wife, nor my soldiers will ever take my decisions from me. I’ve had enough of that with father and if it’s this kind of power you seek, we truly have a problem.”

“I don’t seek power,” I replied scathingly, “but you’re stance and your obvious desire to separate yourself from how things were has led us here! They would never have acted, if you hadn’t given them a reason to! Sylvia, did you think you were acting in your husband’s best interests?”

“I… yes. I told you, I feared… I still fear your intervention. The loyalty, the soldiers have shown you just now, only emphasises my point. This isn’t the palace of the moon and it’s not going to turn into its likeness. In that regard, I believe I’ve acted in accordance with my husband’s wishes.”

Softly I said: “then there is only one thing we have to talk about and that’s the future of the children we’ve sent to you. Because where they are concerned, our opinions still matter, don’t they?” I raised my hand when Arthur wanted to interrupt and added: “I’m not angry, maybe a little hurt, but I understand your desire to protect what’s yours. It doesn’t matter… look, you don’t want us, none of us, to meddle in your affairs and you want to remain a part of this family, which basically means returning to the way things were for the last years, doesn’t it? It’s your prerogative and while I do believe that you’re making a mistake, I’m in no position to complain. Still… to your people our titles might be empty, but to the kids, they are quite real. Which poses a problem, doesn’t it? I would like to have them go with you and grow up in a normal and peaceful environment, but if it means that they’re bound to your authority without us having a say in the matter, I’ll find another way. They’ve never sworn their fealty, nor do I want to command them, but I… we have suffered and we’ve fought to get them back. For me, this still means something.”

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“Cassy, don’t… that’s not what I intended,” Arthur said quietly. “Aren’t you a bit unfair?” He threw a quick glance at mom. “Both of you? There’s a difference between wanting to stay in control of what I’ve built and undermining our relations or your authority. Look, it’s actually pretty simple, isn’t it? I don’t begrudge your titles as princess and queen mother, but it should also be plenty obvious that I’m not going to surrender my crown, after I’ve shed blood and tears to create a throne.”

“Nobody is asking you to, are they,” Ahri interjected sharply. “All they want to know is, if our shared past is worth more to you than the prospective dangers of the future. Up until now, you’ve done your hardest to get around an answer. Simply put, do you want us with you, as your family, or do you not?”

“That’s a stupid question, of course I do. But we can’t go back to the way things were. You’re my family, never doubt it, but… I’m not a prince anymore. I’m a leader, I have been for the last years.” He massaged his temples, an uncharacteristic sign of exhaustion, before he added: “here are the facts, the way I see them. We aren’t of the same tribe, not really. I wouldn’t have pressed my claims on Boseiju and I think it’s only fair for you to do the same. We’re related by blood and you’ve suffered a blow, that has nearly wiped out your people. I’m more than willing to help, I’ve proven as much already, but of course I’m worried about the future… I’ll freely admit, that I didn’t hide my doubts as well as I should have, which makes what happened partly my fault. I fully support your involvement, otherwise I’d never have allowed my people to kneel before you, but I also don’t plan on sharing my authority. Is that really a reason to fight?”

“No,” my mom replied, “but it became one, when your actions led your wife and her people to make a move. You’ve solved the issue rather neatly, but it also changed everything. You might not regard us as your tribe anymore, but your soldiers do. They’ve shown it. I don’t think you can have it both ways, Arthur. If we stick around, in my case, maybe even literally, you’ll have to accept us, which includes our support, our friendship and our loyalty, but also our right to meddle in what you deem your affairs. Is that something you can live with, son? Because if you can’t, your sister is right. We’ll have to find a solution for the kids, because those are ours, in every sense of the word.” He leaned back in his chair, brooding.

“What do you have in mind,” he finally asked. I tensed but relaxed quickly enough when he explained: “not for the children, but how do you envision your role with us?” Before I could open my mouth, my mom answered.

“I’m not fit to lead and neither is Cassandra. Maybe in a few years, when she’s not forced to run across half of creation. I would gladly go back to the way things would have been, if you hadn’t left. You were destined to follow your father. Why not make it official? For us, nothing would change, but you’d become the king of our people… a king with a family. You know yourself which privileges we would get. You’d still be in charge, but you would be forced to listen to us.”

“He would, either way,” Sylvia said and turned to her husband with a smile. “He’s much too considerate. I think I could live with that, provided we can reach an agreement, especially when it comes to succession. Arthur, I know how it must sound, coming from me, but you shouldn’t repeat my mistake. The future shouldn’t be built on fear or cowardice but rather hope and loyalty.” She winked at me. “Something you sister taught me, even though we haven’t spoken for more than a few minutes.” She got up, facing me, and spread her arms. “At any rate, this I should have done much sooner. Welcome. Welcome from the bottom of my heart. We missed you.” I hesitated, the invitation more than she had said. If I was to accept her hug, I would also accept what had happened. In a way, she was offering a fresh start, a clean slate. The question was, was I willing to let go? I quickly strode over and accepted her embrace, the scents of grapes and cinnamon wafting around my nose. If it was up to me, I’d take her forgiveness and offer mine, any day of the week.

“Does that mean exile is, at the very least, off the table,” I asked with a lopsided smile.

“I haven’t yet made up my mind,” she replied mirthfully, “but you’re doing well enough.”

“I’ll never understand women,” Arthur mumbled. “A second ago… it doesn’t matter. I’m not prepared to haggle over rights and privileges, so could we please leave it at that, for now? I haven’t seen you in ages and… there’s much I want to… I have to know. How my father died, for instance,” he finished quietly.

I shared a look with my mom and when she shrugged, I sat back down and began talking. “This might take a while… I don’t even know where to start.” Ahri glided to my side and when she gently touched my shoulder, I closed my eyes and narrated our tale. I didn’t include much of our past, only enough to explain, why I was hunted and why immortals cropped up around me like weeds. As far as the Emperor was concerned, though, I was thorough. I even admitted, that Mordred had been the first, who had fallen prey to his machinations.

I told them about Greta’s sacrifice, our flight and how we had encountered Viyara, only glancing over the connection she and I shared. That was something I’d maybe share with my brother, if she was comfortable with it, but definitely not his wife. I talked about the island we had crashed on, about our encounter with Shassa and Amon’s past, ending with a short description what had happened in Free Land and the mess the city had turned into. They listened silently, their disbelieve slowly turning into awe, it was a rather fantastic tale, after all. I spoke for over half an hour until I finally reached last night’s fiasco.

“I was too late,” I admitted. “He was already gone, leaving behind nothing but a spark of himself, an exhausted vessel and the power of a god, he had used to come here. I… I couldn’t stop him and now, he’s somewhere out there, probably on one of the subjugated island close by, rebuilding his army and, if we’re really cursed, opening gates to his empire, mobilising more resources than we can even imagine. The only advantage we have… the Broken Wheel and I came to an understanding. He… it will use its worshippers to keep an eye on every island, where it has a following. One of its avatars will contact me soon. I don’t really know what to expect, but that’s where we are.” Exhausted, I took another sip from my cold tea and shivered. It tasted awful.

“Cassy…,” my brother asked quietly, “I simply have to know… all of this… is it true? Every word?”

I nodded dejectedly. “Unfortunately. The good and the bad and everything in between. I hope you now understand, why I said that a storm would be coming, whatever you do.”

“And you two,” he gesticulated vaguely towards Ahri and me, “you really are…”

“Angels? Immortals? Crazy? All of the above. Look, Arthur, I know how incredible it all must sound, but it’s the truth. No more, no less. You always knew there was something off about me, didn’t you? Now you know, what it is. If you want, you can ask your wife. She’ll surely confirm what I am.” Perplexed, he raised his eyebrows and turned to Sylvia, who answered willingly.

“I’ve felt it, I believe she is what she claims, but… won’t it be better to show him? I wouldn’t have been easily convinced, if I hadn’t heard your voice.”

“Her voice…,” my brother began, but Ahri cut him off.

“Silence,” she whispered and silence there was, the pressure behind her words distorting the air. Wide eyed, Arthur stared at her, his mouth opening and closing like a fish’s on land, while his wife ogled at him, amusement sparkling in her eyes. After a moment, Ahri recanted her command and Sylvia said over my brother’s spluttering:

“If at all possible, I’d like to learn that trick. Satisfied, husband, or would you like to see what happens, should they order you to do something else?”

“No… no, I think I’m fine. But… how, by the Great Fox, could it come to this? What do you even have to fear?” I sighed helplessly, preparing myself for another longwinded explanation.