Chapter 3: The Guardians Meet

Scylla kept her hand on the hilt of the Sword of Sorrows as she walked down a hall of the palace. Cassandra had ordered the Guardians into battle gear unto further notice. While it was good that the palace was prepared, the waiting was beginning to tax some nerves, including Scylla’s.

Her shoulders twitched, her skin protesting its new confinement under the tunic and the metallic vest that served as armor. Scylla’s usual uniform, like that of the other Guardians, was a white tank top in her unique style, a sash in her color, black pants, and black boots. However, in her battle uniform, the sash was replaced by a belt, containing the knives and other weapons she would use if the Sword of Sorrows became unavailable.

Scylla paused outside the chamber that would serve as the conference room for the Guardians. Noticing that a few were already seated inside, Scylla entered, nodding at those who looked her way. The Guardian of Compassion quickly crossed the room and took a chair.

Clytie, the Guardian of Love, took one of the vacant seats beside Scylla. Clytie’s usually free-flowing, red tresses were now in a bun. “I hope our precautions are not needed,” she confided to Scylla, glancing at the other battle-clad Guardians.

“I do, too,” Scylla replied. “But, due to Cassandra’s diligence, we should be prepared for anything.”

“Definitely,” Clytie replied. “I have practiced so much since the alert came, it’s a wonder I don’t battle in my sleep.”

“I’m sure Hyperion would let you know if you did,” Scylla said, referring to Clytie’s husband, the captain of the royal guard.

“Oh, he would,” she replied, rolling her eyes. “The captain must get his rest.”

The conversation halted as the two noticed that the other Guardians were now seated around the circular conference table. Everyone turned and watched Cassandra. The Guardian of Hope rose, indicating the start of the meeting.

“We shall start this meeting with a roll call,” Cassandra announced, following the standard practice. She looked to her right. “Marpessa, will you record these proceedings?”

The Guardian of Wisdom, who served as the second-in-command, nodded.

“Scylla, the Guardian of Mercy?” Cassandra called.

“I am present,” Scylla replied, rising briefly from her chair.

“Dido, Guardian of Compassion?”

“I am here,” Dido answered, sitting beside her twin.

“Iphigenia, Guardian of Memory?”

“I am here.”

“Clytie, Guardian of Love?”

“I am present.”

“Alcyon, Guardian of Harmony?”

A woman with black hair rose from her chair across the table from Scylla. She nodded toward Cassandra. “I am here.”

“Latona, Guardian of Joy?”

“I am here.” Scylla’s eyes widen when she realized that Latona’s colorful hair ribbons were gone. The Guardian of Joy served in the royal school, training the nobles of Cignus.

Ribbons of all colors of the rainbows usually adorned Latona’s curly, white hair. However, in battle uniform, the ribbons and the multicolor sash had been replaced with a rainbow-striped belt. The Guardian’s hair was now in a twist.

“Castalia, Guardian of Truth?”

“I am present.” Tall, brown-haired Guardian of Truth rose and sat down. Scylla rarely saw Castalia, who aid the judges of Cignus by identifying the truths in the most complicated cases.

“Themis, Guardian of Justice?”

“I am here, Cassandra.” The Guardian’s light blue hair with its gray tint added a sense of knowledge about her. Her blue eyes of a slightly darker hue were calm and protective.

“Marpessa, Guardian of Wisdom?”

“I am present.”

“And I, Cassandra, Guardian of Hope, am in attendance, as well.” She swept her eyes across the other nine Guardians. “I apologize for pulling you from your respective duties, all of which are important to Cignus. However, we all realize that these meetings are not called unless something of great magnitude is about to affect Cignus.

“Yesterday, while reporting to the king, I received a vision. An strong, evil force is planning to attack a powerful, ruling family. I did not something definite in this vision, and I can’t say that this attack is directed Cignus or any specific system.

“However, I asked the king to intensify the protection of the royal guards. To due our parts as Guardians of Cignus, I ordered all of us to be in full battle gear at all times. At my suggestion, the king has decided to intensify the training of Prince Adonis in warfare.

“I now open the table to you for questions, comments, and concerns.” With that said, Cassandra sat down.

Castalia rose from her chair. “Do you have any sense of a time frame, Cassandra?”

“No, not a definite one. I did have a feeling that this strike was imminent. I would hazard to say within the year.”

“Is this the fulfillment of the prophecy?” Alcyon asked. Several wide eyes looked at Cassandra.

“I hope not, Alcyon. Neither Prince Adonis nor Princess Amalthea have shown signs of the Child of Darkness. Until such time, we can not act.”

Scylla remembered Princess Amalthea’s vehemence concerning her brother’s right as heir. Should she tell Cassandra now in front of the other Guardians? Could she suggest that the princess may become the Child of Darkness?

Scylla rose from her chair, drawing the attention of the other Guardians. “Whatever is said in this room does not leave this room, as we agreed long ago. With what I am about to say, that is especially important. There shall be no outside talk of this, even between Guardians. Agreed?”

Nine voices agreed.

“Yesterday, during a conversation I cannot repeat entirely, Princess Amalthea expressed anger at the fact that her brother is heir, although he is five minutes elder.”

“How angry would you say she was, Scylla?” Themis asked, concern evident in her face.

“Very. There is a lot of bitterness and anger in the princess. It is this bitter anger that I fear. It could lead her to become the Child of Darkness.”

“How did this conversation end?” Cassandra asked.

“I suggested that she use that energy in her studies with Werla.”

“How did she respond to that suggestion?” Marpessa inquired.

“She changed the subject.”

“We cannot suspect Princess Amalthea on that incident alone,” Cassandra said, rising. “Scylla, please watch for other signs of anger and bitterness in the princess and report any others to me. Dido, as the protector of Prince Adonis, you are to watch for signs as well.
Either could easily be the Child of Darkness.”

Again, she surveyed the others. “Anything else?”

No one spoke. “Then you are all dismissed.”

Scylla was one of the last to leave the conference room. When she reached Cassandra, she pulled the Guardian aside. “Are you going to tell the king about Princess Amalthea?”

“What was said in this room stays in this room, for now. If we find sufficient cause for concern, I will have to report to the king. Until then, I do not see the reason of unduly alarming the king over a remark. Do you?”

Scylla shook her head, leaving the conference and heading to find Princess Amalthea.


The Guardians Meet Scylla kept her hand on the hilt of the Sword of Sorrows as she walked down a hall of the palace. Cassandra had ordered the Guardians into battle gear unto further notice. While it was good that the palace was prepared, the waiting was beginning to tax some nerves, including Scylla’s. Her shoulders twitched, her skin protesting its new confinement under the tunic and the metallic vest that served as armor. Scylla’s usual uniform, like that of the other Guardians, was a white tank top in her unique style, a sash in her color, black pants, and black boots. However, in her battle uniform, the sash was replaced by a belt, containing the knives and other weapons she would use if the Sword of Sorrows became unavailable. Scylla paused outside the chamber that would serve as the conference room for the Guardians. Noticing that a few were already seated inside, Scylla entered, nodding at those who looked her way. The Guardian of Compassion quickly crossed the room and took a chair. Clytie, the Guardian of Love, took one of the vacant seats beside Scylla. Clytie’s usually free-flowing, red tresses were now in a bun. “I hope our precautions are not needed,” she confided to Scylla, glancing at the other battle-clad Guardians. “I do, too,” Scylla replied. “But, due to Cassandra’s diligence, we should be prepared for anything.” “Definitely,” Clytie replied. “I have practiced so much since the alert came, it’s a wonder I don’t battle in my sleep.” “I’m sure Hyperion would let you know if you did,” Scylla said, referring to Clytie’s husband, the captain of the royal guard. “Oh, he would,” she replied, rolling her eyes. “The captain must get his rest.” The conversation halted as the two noticed that the other Guardians were now seated around the circular conference table. Everyone turned and watched Cassandra. The Guardian of Hope rose, indicating the start of the meeting. “We shall start this meeting with a roll call,” Cassandra announced, following the standard practice. She looked to her right. “Marpessa, will you record these proceedings?” The Guardian of Wisdom, who served as the second-in-command, nodded. “Scylla, the Guardian of Mercy?” Cassandra called. “I am present,” Scylla replied, rising briefly from her chair. “Dido, Guardian of Compassion?” “I am here,” Dido answered, sitting beside her twin. “Iphigenia, Guardian of Memory?” “I am here.” “Clytie, Guardian of Love?” “I am present.” “Alcyon, Guardian of Harmony?” A woman with black hair rose from her chair across the table from Scylla. She nodded toward Cassandra. “I am here.” “Latona, Guardian of Joy?” “I am here.” Scylla’s eyes widen when she realized that Latona’s colorful hair ribbons were gone. The Guardian of Joy served in the royal school, training the nobles of Cignus. Ribbons of all colors of the rainbows usually adorned Latona’s curly, white hair. However, in battle uniform, the ribbons and the multicolor sash had been replaced with a rainbow-striped belt. The Guardian’s hair was now in a twist. “Castalia, Guardian of Truth?” “I am present.” Tall, brown-haired Guardian of Truth rose and sat down. Scylla rarely saw Castalia, who aid the judges of Cignus by identifying the truths in the most complicated cases. “Themis, Guardian of Justice?” “I am here, Cassandra.” The Guardian’s light blue hair with its gray tint added a sense of knowledge about her. Her blue eyes of a slightly darker hue were calm and protective. “Marpessa, Guardian of Wisdom?” “I am present.” “And I, Cassandra, Guardian of Hope, am in attendance, as well.” She swept her eyes across the other nine Guardians. “I apologize for pulling you from your respective duties, all of which are important to Cignus. However, we all realize that these meetings are not called unless something of great magnitude is about to affect Cignus. “Yesterday, while reporting to the king, I received a vision. An strong, evil force is planning to attack a powerful, ruling family. I did not something definite in this vision, and I can’t say that this attack is directed Cignus or any specific system. “However, I asked the king to intensify the protection of the royal guards. To due our parts as Guardians of Cignus, I ordered all of us to be in full battle gear at all times. At my suggestion, the king has decided to intensify the training of Prince Adonis in warfare. “I now open the table to you for questions, comments, and concerns.” With that said, Cassandra sat down. Castalia rose from her chair. “Do you have any sense of a time frame, Cassandra?” “No, not a definite one. I did have a feeling that this strike was imminent. I would hazard to say within the year.” “Is this the fulfillment of the prophecy?” Alcyon asked. Several wide eyes looked at Cassandra. “I hope not, Alcyon. Neither Prince Adonis nor Princess Amalthea have shown signs of the Child of Darkness. Until such time, we can not act.” Scylla remembered Princess Amalthea’s vehemence concerning her brother’s right as heir. Should she tell Cassandra now in front of the other Guardians? Could she suggest that the princess may become the Child of Darkness? Scylla rose from her chair, drawing the attention of the other Guardians. “Whatever is said in this room does not leave this room, as we agreed long ago. With what I am about to say, that is especially important. There shall be no outside talk of this, even between Guardians. Agreed?” Nine voices agreed. “Yesterday, during a conversation I cannot repeat entirely, Princess Amalthea expressed anger at the fact that her brother is heir, although he is five minutes elder.” “How angry would you say she was, Scylla?” Themis asked, concern evident in her face. “Very. There is a lot of bitterness and anger in the princess. It is this bitter anger that I fear. It could lead her to become the Child of Darkness.” “How did this conversation end?” Cassandra asked. “I suggested that she use that energy in her studies with Werla.” “How did she respond to that suggestion?” Marpessa inquired. “She changed the subject.” “We cannot suspect Princess Amalthea on that incident alone,” Cassandra said, rising. “Scylla, please watch for other signs of anger and bitterness in the princess and report any others to me. Dido, as the protector of Prince Adonis, you are to watch for signs as well. Either could easily be the Child of Darkness.” Again, she surveyed the others. “Anything else?” No one spoke. “Then you are all dismissed.” Scylla was one of the last to leave the conference room. When she reached Cassandra, she pulled the Guardian aside. “Are you going to tell the king about Princess Amalthea?” “What was said in this room stays in this room, for now. If we find sufficient cause for concern, I will have to report to the king. Until then, I do not see the reason of unduly alarming the king over a remark. Do you?” Scylla shook her head, leaving the conference and heading to find Princess Amalthea.


Chapter 4: Another Listener Joins Jupiter's Gone