Chapter 4: Past Imperfect

[Author’s Note: Once again, much of the dialogue should be in the language of Cignus. However, due to time constraints, I have left it in English. I hope to return to it and translate it later.]

Cassandra glanced around the table. Rami and Edoru traded mission tales with Monea and Ren, while Ulei informed them of the latest news in the Resistance. The other Guardians quietly translated for the Sailor Soldiers and Ganymede. The language barrier was definitely a complication.

With a nod to Dido, the Guardian of Hope slipped out of the house. The cool night air was a contrast to the warm interior she just left. She slipped into her battle gear, grateful for the additional clothing.

Leda turned at the sound of the footsteps. Panic flashed in her eyes at seeing Cassandra in her battle uniform. She clutched her brooch, ready to transform.

“There’s no attack,” Cassandra said quickly. “The night was a bit cooler than I had expected.”

“You had me worried for a moment.” With a wry smile, she leaned against a tree and resumed her search of the sky. “I never get use to these three moons.”

The Guardian stood near the princess, following her gaze. “I always found peace in their presence.”

“Peace? That has seemed elusive as of late,” Leda said, not bothering to hide the frustration in her voice. “Cassandra, how has this happened?”

“I’m not sure. I can only guess.”

“Guess?”

“I can only see what the gods permit me to see.”

The princess pulled her cloak tighter around her shoulders. “There is so much I don’t know about my father and his past. Every time I turn around, there is a new surprise, a new twist. I just wished I understood more.”

“Part of the blame is mine. After Hecate’s defeat, I had assumed that the cycle was finally over. Especially after your sacrifice. It was a costly assumption.”

“No more riddles, Cassandra. Tell me everything, even if it’s just your guess.”

The Guardian of Hope glanced back up at the familiar moons. How many nights had she spent watching them as she debated various courses of actions? She had walked a thin line numerous times, holding hundreds of lives in her hands. She prayed that her luck would continue to hold, that the gods would guide her path.

“You know about my past, my history as Cassea. And I know you know most of what happened the night Amalthea returned as Hecate. The queen used her power to stop her daughter and her forces.”

Leda sighed. “I know all this.”

“Remember Rhea’s words? ‘I banish this evil from Cignus. I bind this evil until the coming of the foretold warrior.’ She used her power alone against Hecate.”

“And then she sent you and the remaining Guardians after my father.”

“But we didn’t make it,” Cassandra said as realization flared in the other woman’s eyes. “The queen’s power was not enough to send all the way. What if her power had begun to fail earlier?”

“Then her binding of Hecate didn’t work.”

The Guardian shook her head. “No, I think it worked but only for a while. I think she meant for it to hold Hecate until you returned to Cignus. However, it didn’t last that long.”

“And all this time, we could have done something,” Leda muttered. “This all could have been end long ago. We could have prevented the attack on Ilene, Naffid’s rebellion, all of it!”

“I know. Again, we’re assuming my guess is right.”

“It’s the only thing that makes sense.”

Cassandra watched the princess as she paced. She shared the other woman’s frustration and guilt. So much suffering of so many people could have been prevented if they had known to act sooner.

‘By the House of Light, if only we had known.’

Leda’s voice pulled her from her thoughts. “Excuse me?”

“I said we should probably go back inside,” she said with a smile. “Paul I know will get worried soon. Besides, we have a lot of work before us. We have a revolution to plan.”

* * * * *

“Ulei, why aren’t you asleep?”

“One could ask you the same thing,” she replied, turning to face her brother-in-law. “Lady Melion may miss you soon.”

“I can handle Harmonea.”

“I’m glad she lets you think so.”

“Ha ha.” Ren watched her as she worked on her loom. Her usually deft hands trembled slightly as she worked with the threads. “Ulei, you can talk to me. What’s bothering you?”

“Just a bad dream, Ren. I’ll be fine.”

“He can’t hurt you anyway, Ulei. Hadrian can’t touch you here.”

Her hands completely stilled at the prince’s name. After taking a shuddering breath, she quickly resumed her work. “I know that, Oriren.”

He sighed. Why did all the women in his life use his full name with that tone? No wonder Ulei and Monea got along so well.

“That wasn’t what the dream was about.”

Ren sat up straighter at the admission. “What did you dream about?”

“It’s not important,” she said with a shake of her head.

“Edoru goes before the Council again tomorrow for his next assignment.”

“I know.”

“Why are you letting him fight?”

“You’re kidding, right? He’s Solan’s son. You know that you could never keep Solan from his duty or what he’s perceived his duty. Edoru’s the same way.”

“The Council should have never asked Solan to fight, not when he had you and Edoru.”

She sighed. Her hands stopped working once more. “He was needed. If he had stayed, he wouldn’t have been the same man. And I wasn’t going to ask him to do that.”

“I wished that you two could have more children.”

“Edoru was my miracle. I couldn’t ask the gods for more.”

The serene expression on her face disappeared when she encountered his questioning gaze. She shook her head, clenching folds of her skirt. “He never told you. Solan never told you.”

“Tell me what, Ulei?”

“I was with child when his group rescued me. However, the stress of the escape and my injuries were too much. I lost the child and almost died myself.”

She laughed softly. “Your brother was a very stubborn man. He refused to let me die. All his hard work, he’d said.”

“Ulei, I had no idea.”

“So I noticed. That’s why Edoru is my miracle. I didn’t think I could have children after that.”

“Ren?” a voice called. A moment later, Monea appeared in the doorway. “Am I missing something?”

“No,” Ulei answered. She stowed her loom away and rose to her feet. “Enough reminiscing for tonight, Ren. I’ll see you both in the morning.”

He watched his sister-in-law limp away, his mind still whirling from her revelation. Monea gently touched his shoulder. He glanced up at her with a faint smile.

“Reminiscing about what?”

“My brother.”

“Oh, I see. Well, it’s late. Come to bed, Ren.”

Nodding, he let her lead him down the hall toward their room. He hoped that sleep would come. He hoped it came quickly.


Past Imperfect [Author’s Note: Once again, much of the dialogue should be in the language of Cignus. However, due to time constraints, I have left it in English. I hope to return to it and translate it later.] Cassandra glanced around the table. Rami and Edoru traded mission tales with Monea and Ren, while Ulei informed them of the latest news in the Resistance. The other Guardians quietly translated for the Sailor Soldiers and Ganymede. The language barrier was definitely a complication. With a nod to Dido, the Guardian of Hope slipped out of the house. The cool night air was a contrast to the warm interior she just left. She slipped into her battle gear, grateful for the additional clothing. Leda turned at the sound of the footsteps. Panic flashed in her eyes at seeing Cassandra in her battle uniform. She clutched her brooch, ready to transform. “There’s no attack,” Cassandra said quickly. “The night was a bit cooler than I had expected.” “You had me worried for a moment.” With a wry smile, she leaned against a tree and resumed her search of the sky. “I never get use to these three moons.” The Guardian stood near the princess, following her gaze. “I always found peace in their presence.” “Peace? That has seemed elusive as of late,” Leda said, not bothering to hide the frustration in her voice. “Cassandra, how has this happened?” “I’m not sure. I can only guess.” “Guess?” “I can only see what the gods permit me to see.” The princess pulled her cloak tighter around her shoulders. “There is so much I don’t know about my father and his past. Every time I turn around, there is a new surprise, a new twist. I just wished I understood more.” “Part of the blame is mine. After Hecate’s defeat, I had assumed that the cycle was finally over. Especially after your sacrifice. It was a costly assumption.” “No more riddles, Cassandra. Tell me everything, even if it’s just your guess.” The Guardian of Hope glanced back up at the familiar moons. How many nights had she spent watching them as she debated various courses of actions? She had walked a thin line numerous times, holding hundreds of lives in her hands. She prayed that her luck would continue to hold, that the gods would guide her path. “You know about my past, my history as Cassea. And I know you know most of what happened the night Amalthea returned as Hecate. The queen used her power to stop her daughter and her forces.” Leda sighed. “I know all this.” “Remember Rhea’s words? ‘I banish this evil from Cignus. I bind this evil until the coming of the foretold warrior.’ She used her power alone against Hecate.” “And then she sent you and the remaining Guardians after my father.” “But we didn’t make it,” Cassandra said as realization flared in the other woman’s eyes. “The queen’s power was not enough to send all the way. What if her power had begun to fail earlier?” “Then her binding of Hecate didn’t work.” The Guardian shook her head. “No, I think it worked but only for a while. I think she meant for it to hold Hecate until you returned to Cignus. However, it didn’t last that long.” “And all this time, we could have done something,” Leda muttered. “This all could have been end long ago. We could have prevented the attack on Ilene, Naffid’s rebellion, all of it!” “I know. Again, we’re assuming my guess is right.” “It’s the only thing that makes sense.” Cassandra watched the princess as she paced. She shared the other woman’s frustration and guilt. So much suffering of so many people could have been prevented if they had known to act sooner. ‘By the House of Light, if only we had known.’ Leda’s voice pulled her from her thoughts. “Excuse me?” “I said we should probably go back inside,” she said with a smile. “Paul I know will get worried soon. Besides, we have a lot of work before us. We have a revolution to plan.” * * * * * “Ulei, why aren’t you asleep?” “One could ask you the same thing,” she replied, turning to face her brother-in-law. “Lady Melion may miss you soon.” “I can handle Harmonea.” “I’m glad she lets you think so.” “Ha ha.” Ren watched her as she worked on her loom. Her usually deft hands trembled slightly as she worked with the threads. “Ulei, you can talk to me. What’s bothering you?” “Just a bad dream, Ren. I’ll be fine.” “He can’t hurt you anyway, Ulei. Hadrian can’t touch you here.” Her hands completely stilled at the prince’s name. After taking a shuddering breath, she quickly resumed her work. “I know that, Oriren.” He sighed. Why did all the women in his life use his full name with that tone? No wonder Ulei and Monea got along so well. “That wasn’t what the dream was about.” Ren sat up straighter at the admission. “What did you dream about?” “It’s not important,” she said with a shake of her head. “Edoru goes before the Council again tomorrow for his next assignment.” “I know.” “Why are you letting him fight?” “You’re kidding, right? He’s Solan’s son. You know that you could never keep Solan from his duty or what he’s perceived his duty. Edoru’s the same way.” “The Council should have never asked Solan to fight, not when he had you and Edoru.” She sighed. Her hands stopped working once more. “He was needed. If he had stayed, he wouldn’t have been the same man. And I wasn’t going to ask him to do that.” “I wished that you two could have more children.” “Edoru was my miracle. I couldn’t ask the gods for more.” The serene expression on her face disappeared when she encountered his questioning gaze. She shook her head, clenching folds of her skirt. “He never told you. Solan never told you.” “Tell me what, Ulei?” “I was with child when his group rescued me. However, the stress of the escape and my injuries were too much. I lost the child and almost died myself.” She laughed softly. “Your brother was a very stubborn man. He refused to let me die. All his hard work, he’d said.” “Ulei, I had no idea.” “So I noticed. That’s why Edoru is my miracle. I didn’t think I could have children after that.” “Ren?” a voice called. A moment later, Monea appeared in the doorway. “Am I missing something?” “No,” Ulei answered. She stowed her loom away and rose to her feet. “Enough reminiscing for tonight, Ren. I’ll see you both in the morning.” He watched his sister-in-law limp away, his mind still whirling from her revelation. Monea gently touched his shoulder. He glanced up at her with a faint smile. “Reminiscing about what?” “My brother.” “Oh, I see. Well, it’s late. Come to bed, Ren.” Nodding, he let her lead him down the hall toward their room. He hoped that sleep would come. He hoped it came quickly.


Chapter 5--Coming Soon Jupter's Gone