Epilogue: Home

Scylla had felt, rather than had seen, her sister slink away as had become her custom at the end of each day’s work. She finished her conversation, telling Evna to go on without her. She made sure that the girl was doing that before she took off after Dido.

She wasn’t surprised that she caught up with her twin quickly. Dido merely gave her a glare and continued up one of the hills surrounding the village. Undaunted, Scylla continued to follow.

“I’m not in the mood for company, Scylla.”

“No, you haven’t been for a while now.”

Dido growled in frustration and quickened her pace. Scylla let her get a lead. However, she wasn’t going to let the matter drop that easily. This had gone on long enough.

The former Guardian of Compassion didn’t even turn to face her sister as Scylla topped the hill. She was looking down the slope, looking back at the village she just left. Although Dido’s face betrayed no emotion, Scylla could feel the conflicting feelings rippling off of her.

The two sisters stood in silence. The sun eventually set, bathing the village in reds and oranges before fading into indigos and blacks. The loss of light also brought a cooler breeze. However, neither twin seemed to notice.

“You’re going to miss dinner,” Dido finally said.

“I’ll manage. You’ve seemed to have.”

Dido snorted. “Are you saying I’m fat? I’m not a Guardian for . . .”

They both knew why she had faltered. The disappearance of Cassandra and the loss of their place as Guardians had left wounds that were still tender. While Iphigenia and Monea seemed to be coping well, Dido had been a different story.

Dido had given up so much of her life as a Guardian. She had balanced those losses by believing her sacrifices were needed to keep Cignus safe. To no longer be a Guardian had robbed her life of its purpose. The disappearance of Cassandra had robbed her of the person she always turned to for guidance.

The fact that her sister had not turned to Scylla did hurt some, but her twin had always been a closed person. It probably accounted for the fact that Scylla was the better empath. Dido rarely opened up enough to really use her powers. The only person Dido could easily read had been Adonis.

Scylla sighed, keeping her eyes on the village. “I assume you will be returning with the princess and prince to Jupiter.”

“What?”

She smiled softly. “The prince and princess leave in two days to return to Jupiter. I had thought that you would go with them.”

“I don’t know,” Dido replied, stiffening. “What about Iphigenia? What about you, Scylla?”

“Iphigenia is happy enough here. Cignus doesn’t hold the memories that it holds for you.”

“And you?” Dido pressed.

Scylla sighed. “There is so much rebuilding to be done here, and I think that I could help.”

“So, you will stay.”

“Probably. But I don’t think you should.” Her statement clearly startled her twin. She turned and faced her. “Cignus hasn’t been your home for a long time now, Dido. I think we both know that.”

“Jupiter’s not my home either.”

“No, but at least you found some semblance of peace there.”

“I should stay here.” Dido clenched her fists. “I should want to stay here.”

“Why? Duty?”

“For one thing.”

“But we aren’t Guardians anymore. Cassandra gave us a chance to live our own lives, Dido. We should try to do that.”

“I don’t know if I can do.”

Scylla took her sister’s hand. “You can. I know you can.”

Dido squeezed her hand briefly before letting it go. Her gaze turned back to the village. Her thoughts drifted towards home.


Home Scylla had felt, rather than had seen, her sister slink away as had become her custom at the end of each day’s work. She finished her conversation, telling Evna to go on without her. She made sure that the girl was doing that before she took off after Dido. She wasn’t surprised that she caught up with her twin quickly. Dido merely gave her a glare and continued up one of the hills surrounding the village. Undaunted, Scylla continued to follow. “I’m not in the mood for company, Scylla.” “No, you haven’t been for a while now.” Dido growled in frustration and quickened her pace. Scylla let her get a lead. However, she wasn’t going to let the matter drop that easily. This had gone on long enough. The former Guardian of Compassion didn’t even turn to face her sister as Scylla topped the hill. She was looking down the slope, looking back at the village she just left. Although Dido’s face betrayed no emotion, Scylla could feel the conflicting feelings rippling off of her. The two sisters stood in silence. The sun eventually set, bathing the village in reds and oranges before fading into indigos and blacks. The loss of light also brought a cooler breeze. However, neither twin seemed to notice. “You’re going to miss dinner,” Dido finally said. “I’ll manage. You’ve seemed to have.” Dido snorted. “Are you saying I’m fat? I’m not a Guardian for . . .” They both knew why she had faltered. The disappearance of Cassandra and the loss of their place as Guardians had left wounds that were still tender. While Iphigenia and Monea seemed to be coping well, Dido had been a different story. Dido had given up so much of her life as a Guardian. She had balanced those losses by believing her sacrifices were needed to keep Cignus safe. To no longer be a Guardian had robbed her life of its purpose. The disappearance of Cassandra had robbed her of the person she always turned to for guidance. The fact that her sister had not turned to Scylla did hurt some, but her twin had always been a closed person. It probably accounted for the fact that Scylla was the better empath. Dido rarely opened up enough to really use her powers. The only person Dido could easily read had been Adonis. Scylla sighed, keeping her eyes on the village. “I assume you will be returning with the princess and prince to Jupiter.” “What?” She smiled softly. “The prince and princess leave in two days to return to Jupiter. I had thought that you would go with them.” “I don’t know,” Dido replied, stiffening. “What about Iphigenia? What about you, Scylla?” “Iphigenia is happy enough here. Cignus doesn’t hold the memories that it holds for you.” “And you?” Dido pressed. Scylla sighed. “There is so much rebuilding to be done here, and I think that I could help.” “So, you will stay.” “Probably. But I don’t think you should.” Her statement clearly startled her twin. She turned and faced her. “Cignus hasn’t been your home for a long time now, Dido. I think we both know that.” “Jupiter’s not my home either.” “No, but at least you found some semblance of peace there.” “I should stay here.” Dido clenched her fists. “I should want to stay here.” “Why? Duty?” “For one thing.” “But we aren’t Guardians anymore. Cassandra gave us a chance to live our own lives, Dido. We should try to do that.” “I don’t know if I can do.” Scylla took her sister’s hand. “You can. I know you can.” Dido squeezed her hand briefly before letting it go. Her gaze turned back to the village. Her thoughts drifted towards home.


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