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On the Eve of Battle Leda fingered the gold brooch now pinned to her shirt, staring into the garden from the wall where she was perched. The sunset had given the garden an air of mystery, deepening and increasing the shadows. Being alone had given her a much needed opportunity to think.
‘There is so much I don’t know,’ she thought to herself. All that she had concerning her enemy was a name, Nadomus, and the vague memory of a face. Remembering Nadomus chilled Leda to the bone, causing her to rub her arms in spite of the summer evening. Even in the safe world of her dreams, his presence radiated pure evil. The battle, which she was sure would come, would not be easy. What should she do? Should she search for Nadomus or let him come to her? Would he challenge her like he had her mother? Why had he challenged Sailor Jupiter in the first place? There were not any answers, only more questions. She would wait a week, she finally decided. If Nadomus had not challenged her by then, she would search for him. Either way, she had an opportunity to do some planning. “There you are,” a voice called. Leda turned and watched as a tall, auburn-haired man came and sat down beside her. “I have been looking for you everywhere. What are you doing out here by yourself?” “Thinking, Paul,” she answered, looking back at the sunset. “By the look on your face, it can’t be happy thoughts. What to talk about it?” She studied her best friend for a moment and then shook her head. “Not right now. Later,” she promised. “Whenever you’re ready,” he answered. They watched the sun finally slip below the horizon. The peaceful scene made her uneasy. Whatever is going to happen will happen soon. She rose to her feet, followed by Paul. “Let’s go in,” she said. “I have some business that needs to be taken care of very soon.” “Anything that I can help you with?” he asked. “Maybe,” she said, studying him once more. “Race you to the door!” In a flash, she was gone, Paul chasing behind her. * * * * *
Leda and Paul entered her study, locking the door to ensure their privacy. Leda sat down behind the oak desk while Paul occupied one of the visitors’ chairs. Glancing through the familiar stacks of paper, she saw a plain, unaddressed envelope.
“Nadomus,” she whispered, opening the envelope flap with her fingernail. Her hands shook slightly as she read the challenge. Nadomus was challenging her and her sisters. They were to meet in a day’s time on Pluto’s moon, Charon. “What’s wrong?” Paul asked, concerned by the shaking of her hands and the ashen pallor of her face. “Leda?” “Oh.” She looked up at him in surprise, folding the letter neatly and placing it back in the envelope. “Nothing really. Just some official business I will need to take care of.” She paused, looking at the envelope again. “Paul, can you find my sisters for me and ask them to meet me in here? We will need to be alone.” “Of course. I am on my way.” “Thank you.” He left the room, softly shutting the down behind him. Leda’s eyes fell back on the envelope. The challenge altered her plans considerably. * * * * *
She rose stiffly from the chair, finally completing the last-minute arrangements. She stretched, working the protesting muscles of her back, shoulders, and neck. She would have no problems sleeping tonight.
There were only a few hours for her to sleep before the departure. She had sent her sisters to bed hours earlier, promising to retire shortly herself. ‘Best laid plans,’ she thought. She turned off her desk lamp and crossed the room. But she paused at the door. Giving the familiar study one more glance, she turned off the light and quietly pulled the door closed behind her. She crept down the hall silently, secrecy being key to all their plans. Yet, Leda paused outside one door. Pressing her head against the cool oak wood, she knew she couldn’t open it. Paul was notorious for being an unusually light sleeper. “Goodbye, dear friend,” she whispered. “Don’t do anything stupid for my sake. Jupiter will need you if anything should happen to me.” She fingered the door lovingly. “Farewell.” She continued toward her room. The halls were empty and she slipped silently into her room to get what rest she could. Dawn was steadily approaching. * * * * *
Paul tossed in his bed, a nightmare taking control of his dreams. Leda was standing before him, saying goodbye. She wouldn’t tell him where she was going, only shaking her head before fading into the blackness of the nightmare.
“Don’t do anything stupid,” a cold male voice mocked. Laughter, hideous laughter, echoed within his skull. Frantically, he tried to search for her. “Don’t.” Her voice so weak, it was barely audible. “For my sake.” There was an unearthly pause. “Farewell.” Paul sat up in bed, trying to slow his breathing down. The nightmare was so strange, completely unlike anything he had had before. Sitting on the edge of his bed, he debated on what to do. Realizing that he wouldn’t sleep for a long time, he threw on some clothes. He left his room, immediately heading for Leda’s room. ‘This is stupid,’ he thought. Yet, he knew he would not sleep unless he knew she was there, safe and asleep. He paused outside her door, listening for any evidence that Leda was inside. The rustle of bedclothes confirmed the royal heir was asleep. ‘She is the royal heir,’ he reminded himself. Feeling a little dumb, he went back to his room. In his bed, Paul stared at the ceiling for hours. Finally, shortly before dawn, he fell asleep. Gratefully, he woke up hours later with no memories of any new nightmares. |
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