Chapter 7: Truths

Scylla opened the heavy tome, flipping through the yellowed pages. As she searched for the passage she needed, she thought back to the only other case of the Redolarian Sleeping Curse she had seen. She hoped that Lady Ilene faired far better than her last patient had.

“Do you think this will work?” Iphigenia asked quietly, echoing the other Guardian’s thoughts.

“Yes, it should work,” the Guardian of Mercy replied in a more hopeful tone than she felt. ‘Alvin always said that hope itself was a powerful medicine.’ She desperately wished her older trainer was there to guide her efforts. However, he was not and she had worked to do.

“We need to separate all the herbs,” Scylla instructed, “and to get a large pot of pure, warm water from the kitchens.”

The younger Guardian nodded. “I can take care of that.”

Once the other woman was gone, Scylla resumed her searching. She finally found the right section and read the passage repeatedly. As she listened to Lady Ilene’s labored breathing, she knew that too much was at stake for her to make a mistake.

* * * * *

“Aei su amori (I am your friend), Carina,” Cassandra stated, seated across from the other woman.

The captain glared. “Aei no su amori (I am not your friend)! Aei le warrior e Cignus a auav le amori e Jupiter (I am a warrior of Cignus and you are a friend of Jupiter). Auav mei advime (You are my enemy).”

“Jupiter no aie su advime (Jupiter is not your enemy). Le eire e Jupiter aie la natalei e li (The ruler of Jupier is the Child of Light). Hadrian teneuav malice (Hadrian is evil). Hadrian destuyea Cignus a le getne (Hadrian destroys Cignus and its people).”

“Auav le nitrea (You are a liar). Le getne e Jupiter saibe le eire teneuav malice (The people of Jupiter know its ruler is evil). Auanve le contra (They rise against her).”

“Qeu?” Cassandra demanded.

Carina smiled. “Le getne e Jupiter, auanve contra le eire (The people of Jupiter, they rise against their ruler). Auav mei advime a auav sui advime (You are my enemy and you are their enemy).”

The captain was surprised when Cassandra looked upon her with a look that could only be described as pity. She had expected a blast of anger, maybe even a blow, but definitely not pity. It unnerved her slightly.

“Muci nitreas en su vied (So many lies in your life), Carina,” Cassandra said, shaking her head. “Posi le jore esie candu sabei le trae (Perhaps the day will come when you will learn the truth).”

Without another word, the Guardian left the room, leaving the captain to her troubled thoughts.

* * * * *

“This is going to be difficult,” Paul stated as more reports arrived.

Leda nodded slightly, intent on scanning the newest information. “We’ve faced worse odds, Paul.”

“This is different, though. This isn’t some invading outsider.”

“I know,” she said quietly. “These are own people. We’re going to stop them with the least amount of force possible, but we’re going to have to defend ourselves. Unfortunately, people are going to be hurt.”

“You didn’t bring this about, love. We’re not responsible.”

“I know,” she said once more. She looked up at him with a sad smile. “I just wish I knew what Naffid wished to accomplish with this. Does he want the throne so badly that he would risk the lives of his people? Does he think that Serenity and Endymion would accept him as Jupiter’s ruler?”

“There’s no reasoning with mad men,” Paul replied, “ and I believe that Naffid has gone mad in his ambitions.”

“Well, one way or another this part will be over soon,” she sighed.

Oblivious to the technicians around them, Paul cupped her chin, raising her face to his. “I love you, Leda, and we will get through this together, like we’ve always had.”

“I know,” she stated for a third time, smiling. Then she reached up and kissed him.

There was a discreet cough. The couple reluctantly broke apart. Leda turned to the interrupter and was surprised by the amused glimmer in the Guardian’s eyes.

“I hope I’m not interrupting anything,” Cassandra remarked dryly.

“Whatever gave you that idea,” Paul said with a grin. However, he quickly grew serious. “I’ll go over the perimeter defenses again and leave you two ladies to your business.” He gave his wife a fleeting kiss on her check and left.

“I’ve take it you’ve had your interview with Carina,” Leda said without preamble as they left the busy control room as well. “How did it go?”

“Not as well as I had hoped.”

“Actually, I would have been suspicious if she had joined us so easily. Monea and Ren have fought against the Shadow Moon for years. We’ve fought on the same side and Ren still doesn’t trust us.”

“Lady Harmonea does.”

“I know,” Leda commented with a nod. “There’s something about her, isn’t there, Cassandra?”

“Yes, there is. She’s the descendent of Alcyon, the Guardian of Harmony, and a member of the Melion clan of Cignus.”

“Is that significant?”

The Guardian nodded. “Yes, very significant. You have most of your powers from your father, your legacy as the Child of Light. However, your mother was great in her own right and passed that on to you as well. Those two heritages combined helped you defeat Hecate with far more ease than even I would have thought possible.”

“And Monea has a similar heritage?”

“The fact that she is the descendent of Alcyon would be enough. However, the Melion clan is one of the strongest families on Cignus in terms of magical skills. That’s a powerful combination.”

Leda was silent in a moment of contemplation before she spoke again. “So, what do you intend to do?”

“I’ve had a vision, Your Highness, about the upcoming battles. In my latest visions, I see a fifth Guardian, and with her help, we succeed in freeing Cignus.”

“And you believe Monea is the fifth Guardian?”

“Yes, I do. This fifth Guardian is to be the Guardian of Light. Monea is a Melion. It’s too much to be a coincidence only.”

“What does being a Melion have to do with it?”

“The Melion clan has powerful light magic, and I have seen her demonstrate some of her powers. She is the one, Your Highness.”

“Then, do whatever you have to do, Cassandra,” Leda said. “You know that you didn’t have to clear this with me.”

“Actually, I do, Your Highness,” the Guardian replied. “As the true ruler of Cignus, you have control over all the Guardians. As the Child of Light, you are the rightful leader.”

“Maybe in the past, Cassandra, but not now. You are my friend and trusted advisor, not my subordinate. You are the leader of the Guardians of Cignus. Consider that an order, if you must.”

She surprised the Princess of Jupiter once more, this time by laughing. “You are truly your father’s daughter.”

And with that enigmatic statement, she turned and exited the corridor, leaving Leda alone.


Truths Scylla opened the heavy tome, flipping through the yellowed pages. As she searched for the passage she needed, she thought back to the only other case of the Redolarian Sleeping Curse she had seen. She hoped that Lady Ilene faired far better than her last patient had. “Do you think this will work?” Iphigenia asked quietly, echoing the other Guardian’s thoughts. “Yes, it should work,” the Guardian of Mercy replied in a more hopeful tone than she felt. ‘Alvin always said that hope itself was a powerful medicine.’ She desperately wished her older trainer was there to guide her efforts. However, he was not and she had worked to do. “We need to separate all the herbs,” Scylla instructed, “and to get a large pot of pure, warm water from the kitchens.” The younger Guardian nodded. “I can take care of that.” Once the other woman was gone, Scylla resumed her searching. She finally found the right section and read the passage repeatedly. As she listened to Lady Ilene’s labored breathing, she knew that too much was at stake for her to make a mistake. * * * * * “Aei su amori (I am your friend), Carina,” Cassandra stated, seated across from the other woman. The captain glared. “Aei no su amori (I am not your friend)! Aei le warrior e Cignus a auav le amori e Jupiter (I am a warrior of Cignus and you are a friend of Jupiter). Auav mei advime (You are my enemy).” “Jupiter no aie su advime (Jupiter is not your enemy). Le eire e Jupiter aie la natalei e li (The ruler of Jupier is the Child of Light). Hadrian teneuav malice (Hadrian is evil). Hadrian destuyea Cignus a le getne (Hadrian destroys Cignus and its people).” “Auav le nitrea (You are a liar). Le getne e Jupiter saibe le eire teneuav malice (The people of Jupiter know its ruler is evil). Auanve le contra (They rise against her).” “Qeu?” Cassandra demanded. Carina smiled. “Le getne e Jupiter, auanve contra le eire (The people of Jupiter, they rise against their ruler). Auav mei advime a auav sui advime (You are my enemy and you are their enemy).” The captain was surprised when Cassandra looked upon her with a look that could only be described as pity. She had expected a blast of anger, maybe even a blow, but definitely not pity. It unnerved her slightly. “Muci nitreas en su vied (So many lies in your life), Carina,” Cassandra said, shaking her head. “Posi le jore esie candu sabei le trae (Perhaps the day will come when you will learn the truth).” Without another word, the Guardian left the room, leaving the captain to her troubled thoughts. * * * * * “This is going to be difficult,” Paul stated as more reports arrived. Leda nodded slightly, intent on scanning the newest information. “We’ve faced worse odds, Paul.” “This is different, though. This isn’t some invading outsider.” “I know,” she said quietly. “These are own people. We’re going to stop them with the least amount of force possible, but we’re going to have to defend ourselves. Unfortunately, people are going to be hurt.” “You didn’t bring this about, love. We’re not responsible.” “I know,” she said once more. She looked up at him with a sad smile. “I just wish I knew what Naffid wished to accomplish with this. Does he want the throne so badly that he would risk the lives of his people? Does he think that Serenity and Endymion would accept him as Jupiter’s ruler?” “There’s no reasoning with mad men,” Paul replied, “ and I believe that Naffid has gone mad in his ambitions.” “Well, one way or another this part will be over soon,” she sighed. Oblivious to the technicians around them, Paul cupped her chin, raising her face to his. “I love you, Leda, and we will get through this together, like we’ve always had.” “I know,” she stated for a third time, smiling. Then she reached up and kissed him. There was a discreet cough. The couple reluctantly broke apart. Leda turned to the interrupter and was surprised by the amused glimmer in the Guardian’s eyes. “I hope I’m not interrupting anything,” Cassandra remarked dryly. “Whatever gave you that idea,” Paul said with a grin. However, he quickly grew serious. “I’ll go over the perimeter defenses again and leave you two ladies to your business.” He gave his wife a fleeting kiss on her check and left. “I’ve take it you’ve had your interview with Carina,” Leda said without preamble as they left the busy control room as well. “How did it go?” “Not as well as I had hoped.” “Actually, I would have been suspicious if she had joined us so easily. Monea and Ren have fought against the Shadow Moon for years. We’ve fought on the same side and Ren still doesn’t trust us.” “Lady Harmonea does.” “I know,” Leda commented with a nod. “There’s something about her, isn’t there, Cassandra?” “Yes, there is. She’s the descendent of Alcyon, the Guardian of Harmony, and a member of the Melion clan of Cignus.” “Is that significant?” The Guardian nodded. “Yes, very significant. You have most of your powers from your father, your legacy as the Child of Light. However, your mother was great in her own right and passed that on to you as well. Those two heritages combined helped you defeat Hecate with far more ease than even I would have thought possible.” “And Monea has a similar heritage?” “The fact that she is the descendent of Alcyon would be enough. However, the Melion clan is one of the strongest families on Cignus in terms of magical skills. That’s a powerful combination.” Leda was silent in a moment of contemplation before she spoke again. “So, what do you intend to do?” “I’ve had a vision, Your Highness, about the upcoming battles. In my latest visions, I see a fifth Guardian, and with her help, we succeed in freeing Cignus.” “And you believe Monea is the fifth Guardian?” “Yes, I do. This fifth Guardian is to be the Guardian of Light. Monea is a Melion. It’s too much to be a coincidence only.” “What does being a Melion have to do with it?” “The Melion clan has powerful light magic, and I have seen her demonstrate some of her powers. She is the one, Your Highness.” “Then, do whatever you have to do, Cassandra,” Leda said. “You know that you didn’t have to clear this with me.” “Actually, I do, Your Highness,” the Guardian replied. “As the true ruler of Cignus, you have control over all the Guardians. As the Child of Light, you are the rightful leader.” “Maybe in the past, Cassandra, but not now. You are my friend and trusted advisor, not my subordinate. You are the leader of the Guardians of Cignus. Consider that an order, if you must.” She surprised the Princess of Jupiter once more, this time by laughing. “You are truly your father’s daughter.” And with that enigmatic statement, she turned and exited the corridor, leaving Leda alone.


Chapter 8:Harmonea's Decision Jupiter's Gone