Chapter 2: Additional Worries

“What are you thinking about, Guardian?” Adonis asked again, intent on Dido’s answer.

“I was thinking about how my and Scylla’s lives have changed since we became Guardians, my lord,” Dido replied, tucking a stray strand of wavy, blonde hair behind her ear out of nervousness. The prince had never looked at her with such thoughtful intensity.

“Oh,” Adonis replied, breaking the gaze to look back at the water. After another lengthy pause, he glanced back at Dido. “Do you ever wonder how your life would have been?”

“Would have been, my lord?”

“Have you imagined what your life would be like if your fate had been different, Dido? If you had been fated to be a commoner? Or royalty for that matter?”

The Guardian studied the prince for a moment. “When I was younger, I would picture myself as hundreds of things. When my training became particularly difficult, I escaped through those fantasies. But now, I rarely think about that anymore, my lord. I have found peace as a Guardian.”

“But are you happy as a Guardian, Dido?”

“Happiness is hard to define, Your Highness.” She paused. “I am content as a Guardian.”

Adonis turned his attention back to the lake once more. “Then you are lucky, Guardian of Compassion. Very lucky.” He rose to his feet, Dido quickly following his example.

As they headed back to the palace, Dido grabbed his arm suddenly. “Are you truly unhappy as a prince?”

“I don’t know. Everything is already planned out for me, that I fear I will never make a decision completely on mine own. Sometimes I wish that Amalthea was born first.”

Adonis was amazed to met Dido’s sympathetic gaze. “Very few make peace with who they are, my lord. Even fewer find happiness. For some reason, unknown to us now and possibly forever, you and not Princess Amalthea was born first.”

He turned away from the Guardian in frustration.

“Your mantle is not an easy one to bear, my lord. I know,” Dido said softly. “But nothing worthwhile in life is easy.”

The moment was killed by the buzz of Dido’s communicator. With an apologetic smile, she unclipped the device from her sash and read the messenge. “Our presence is required by the king in his study. Shall we go, my lord?”

“Lead the way, Guardian.”

* * * * *

Dido was somewhat surprised to see Cassandra already in the king’s study when she and Adonis arrived. The elusive Guardian of Hope, the leader of the Guardians of Cignus, was currently serving as a liaison with the ruling kingdom of the Sol System.

Dido bowed to the king and nodded to Cassandra as she took a position at the left hand side of the prince. The king motioned for Cassandra to be seated. She took the remaining chair in front of the king’s desk.

“How is the Moon Kingdom and Queen Serenity?” the king asked.

“The Moon Kingdom and Queen Serenity are well, Your Majesty. Queen Serenity sends you and the royal family her fondest regards.”

“Next time, please remind me or the queen to send a gift to Queen Serenity and Princess Serena.”

Cassandra bowed in her seat. “As you wish, my lord.”

For a moment, the Guardian paused, a stricken look crossing her face.

“Guardian, are you okay?” the king demanded, rising from his chair.

“Cassandra?” Dido knelt beside her leader in concern.

Cassandra blinked her eyes slowly several times before the color returned to her face. Wiping sweat from her brow, Cassandra smiled weakly at the concerned faces around her. “I did not mean to concern you all but I just had a vision.”

“What did you see, Cassandra?” the king asked, resuming his seat.

“Something powerful and evil is coming, Your Majesty. There is strong malice against a family, and this malice is bent on total annihilation of that family, particularly a young love developing from that family.”

“Did you see anything more definite than that, Cassandra?” The king appeared worried.

“No, my lord, I cannot,” the Guardian apologized. “I do not know if this evil is even directed toward Cignus. However, I suggest that the prince’s training be intensified, as well as the royal guard.”

“Yes, that will be definitely be done,” the king said.

“I will call a meeting of the Guardians tonight,” Cassandra said, looking toward the other Guardian in the room. “Dido, see that additional guards are protecting the royal family while we met.”

“Of course,” Dido replied. She glanced at Prince Adonis, who appeared to be in deep thought. Dido wished that she could take this burden from him, but she realized that concerns like these would be his when Adonis assumed the throne.

“Well,” the king said, rising from his chair, “I leave you to your duties, Adonis, Guardians.”

All three bowed as the king left.


Additional Worries “What are you thinking about, Guardian?” Adonis asked again, intent on Dido’s answer. “I was thinking about how my and Scylla’s lives have changed since we became Guardians, my lord,” Dido replied, tucking a stray strand of wavy, blonde hair behind her ear out of nervousness. The prince had never looked at her with such thoughtful intensity. “Oh,” Adonis replied, breaking the gaze to look back at the water. After another lengthy pause, he glanced back at Dido. “Do you ever wonder how your life would have been?” “Would have been, my lord?” “Have you imagined what your life would be like if your fate had been different, Dido? If you had been fated to be a commoner? Or royalty for that matter?” The Guardian studied the prince for a moment. “When I was younger, I would picture myself as hundreds of things. When my training became particularly difficult, I escaped through those fantasies. But now, I rarely think about that anymore, my lord. I have found peace as a Guardian.” “But are you happy as a Guardian, Dido?” “Happiness is hard to define, Your Highness.” She paused. “I am content as a Guardian.” Adonis turned his attention back to the lake once more. “Then you are lucky, Guardian of Compassion. Very lucky.” He rose to his feet, Dido quickly following his example. As they headed back to the palace, Dido grabbed his arm suddenly. “Are you truly unhappy as a prince?” “I don’t know. Everything is already planned out for me, that I fear I will never make a decision completely on mine own. Sometimes I wish that Amalthea was born first.” Adonis was amazed to met Dido’s sympathetic gaze. “Very few make peace with who they are, my lord. Even fewer find happiness. For some reason, unknown to us now and possibly forever, you and not Princess Amalthea was born first.” He turned away from the Guardian in frustration. “Your mantle is not an easy one to bear, my lord. I know,” Dido said softly. “But nothing worthwhile in life is easy.” The moment was killed by the buzz of Dido’s communicator. With an apologetic smile, she unclipped the device from her sash and read the messenge. “Our presence is required by the king in his study. Shall we go, my lord?” “Lead the way, Guardian.” * * * * * Dido was somewhat surprised to see Cassandra already in the king’s study when she and Adonis arrived. The elusive Guardian of Hope, the leader of the Guardians of Cignus, was currently serving as a liaison with the ruling kingdom of the Sol System. Dido bowed to the king and nodded to Cassandra as she took a position at the left hand side of the prince. The king motioned for Cassandra to be seated. She took the remaining chair in front of the king’s desk. “How is the Moon Kingdom and Queen Serenity?” the king asked. “The Moon Kingdom and Queen Serenity are well, Your Majesty. Queen Serenity sends you and the royal family her fondest regards.” “Next time, please remind me or the queen to send a gift to Queen Serenity and Princess Serena.” Cassandra bowed in her seat. “As you wish, my lord.” For a moment, the Guardian paused, a stricken look crossing her face. “Guardian, are you okay?” the king demanded, rising from his chair. “Cassandra?” Dido knelt beside her leader in concern. Cassandra blinked her eyes slowly several times before the color returned to her face. Wiping sweat from her brow, Cassandra smiled weakly at the concerned faces around her. “I did not mean to concern you all but I just had a vision.” “What did you see, Cassandra?” the king asked, resuming his seat. “Something powerful and evil is coming, Your Majesty. There is strong malice against a family, and this malice is bent on total annihilation of that family, particularly a young love developing from that family.” “Did you see anything more definite than that, Cassandra?” The king appeared worried. “No, my lord, I cannot,” the Guardian apologized. “I do not know if this evil is even directed toward Cignus. However, I suggest that the prince’s training be intensified, as well as the royal guard.” “Yes, that will be definitely be done,” the king said. “I will call a meeting of the Guardians tonight,” Cassandra said, looking toward the other Guardian in the room. “Dido, see that additional guards are protecting the royal family while we met.” “Of course,” Dido replied. She glanced at Prince Adonis, who appeared to be in deep thought. Dido wished that she could take this burden from him, but she realized that concerns like these would be his when Adonis assumed the throne. “Well,” the king said, rising from his chair, “I leave you to your duties, Adonis, Guardians.” All three bowed as the king left.


Chapter 3: The Guardians Meet Jupiter's Gone