The Signet Ring

The Tribe King

Cassidy feels the warmth of the wind on the cliff where she's staring at the decaying seeds on her palm. She could assume how the people are suffering now in hunger. She had second thoughts about not harming the peasant's farms but she remembered that now, peasants do not own a farm anymore. Everything was taken by the Royal Castle. How could I spare them from this? She thinks. There's a way out for them, the water should provide more nourishment for the meantime. But how would I do that? The King of the Light Water Tribe must be convinced first to side with me. She thinks. 

Cassidy wears her black hood and mounted on her horse, riding fastly to Lumus, the King of the Light Water Tribe. Cassidy remembers how Lumus has been close to her when she's still Cassandra. He would go to her and inquired about the water phoenix. Lumus couldn't hide his amazement about how can the phoenix in the ring be a fire and water at the same time. Cassandra would just laugh at him and say that it's the same setup with the elements that their Tribe has. 

 "Hope you could know me in your heart Tribe King", Cassidy whispers. 

 The Light Water Tribe is a Kingdom in the land of Velaris that is covered in magical lights and the richest water. Great landscapes, mud houses, and magnificent Tribe castle this is what the light water tribe is known for. They could have been richer than the Royals if not Neji had intervened with their trading of pearls. Water and light protect this Tribe. Cassidy knows how it feels to be in this Tribe for his father was the first King of this Tribe before when she's still Cassandra. 

 Memories of the child Cassandra flashes back into her mind. 

 " Water like the earth is gentle and nourishing. It can be a friend. It can also be an enemy" Baecus said to Cassandra as they were sitting on the bridge waiting for some fish to bite on the bait. 

 " I don't understand why we need to wait this long dad when you could just draw fish out without doing this much work", the child Cassandra replies frowning. Her father smiles and just taps her head.

 " How can I be more interested in our Tribe when I wasn't born with its element?" said Cassandra. 

 The horse gallops are swift as the wind. Cassidy is firm with her decision. She's going home to his home tribe. For sure Lumus knows her as Cassidy from the light water tribe for his mom Jhira is also from here. She would start with that.

 Arriving at the castle's drawbridge Cassidy takes off the hood covering her head. She stood with her head high in front of the gate, confident and unafraid. The guards are shocked at the thought of a girl of no royal blood or something standing so brazenly asking for the Tribe King's presence. She has to try because she must save the commoners from this famine. Cassidy thinks. The chamber man rushes to Lumus telling him the news about Cassidy being in the Castle's gate. At first, he is surprised. If I would let her in and Neji would learn about it, he might have bad thoughts on me. Lumus thinks. He's wavering. He peeps from the window of his chamber and he sees Cassidy patiently waiting. He feels something pinches in his heart. How could I not let her in? She's a picture of courage not of strife. Lumus thinks as he stares at Cassidy. 

 "Let her in", he commanded. 

 " Salutation your Highness I am Cassidy of your own Tribe. My amma is a farmer from this tribe and my Akem (dad) is a warrior. We used to live at the far end of this land until my parents were taken away to the Royal Tribe, and now I am an aspirant in Netiara", Cassidy introduces herself. 

 Lumus a man in his middle-aged, clothed in green linen and pearls, with a beard and mustache on the face, looks at her closely. So this is you? The student whom the ringmaster is afraid of? He thinks while looking at Cassidy. 

 " Yeah, I already heard so much of you. Why are you here?" Lumus replied with brows up.

 "I'm here to ask a favor", Cassidy replied with her head down. 

 " What favor?", his brows furrowed.

 " Spare the poor from this famine" Cassidy replied. Lumus burst a laugh at what he heard. 

 " Spare? what happening isn't my doing? 

 " Yeah, I know, but you can use the water element to nourish the waters in Velaris so it could provide more foods, sufficient foods to the peasants" Cassidy replied.

 " Even if the waters will be manipulated to provide enough, still it won't be enough once the Royals interfere with the distribution", Lumus answered.

 " Your concern for the small people reminds me of the ringmaster Queen Cassandra", Lumus said looking intensely at Cassidy. 

 " That thing also crosses my mind, deep inside I feel that Queen Cassandra won't like the peasants being sold, won't like the peasants dying in hunger, but I can do nothing, I'm bounded with what Neji will say," Lumus said in almost a whisper, his voice cracking to tears. Cassidy stares deeply into Lumus's eyes as if drawing him into some kind of magic that convinces him of what she will say next.

 " Tribe King of the light water, it is I, your ringmaster Queen has arrived. I come back from the ashes", Cassidy said intensely, and along with that, she stretches her hand as if summoning something, and the form of the phoenix comes out from her back, showing itself valiantly to Lumus.  But still Lumus isn't saying a word.

 " To convince you, I will tell you one secret. The phoenix can clearly see the soul of the true ringmaster, which the physical ring do not, the ring which Neji is wearing, is just a shell. I possess the soul of the signet ring, for I am Cassandra, the true master of the ring which was reborn " Cassidy explains, she's laying more of her cards.

 Lumus is left astounded, hesitant and confused. The phoenix in her is a clear proof that she's their Reincarnated Queen yet there's this fear in his heart that's holding him back. He could not just dive into this. Not now. Many things had changed in Velaris.

 " I'm sorry but I can't just give my answer now", Lumus sadly said in a low voice. 

 " But for your peace, rest assured I'll take care of the commoners here in our Tribe.... that's all I can do for now", he said. Cassidy chuckles at what she heard.

 " You're still the Lumus I know. Your loyalty is always on the winning side. Remember how you leave Cassandra's father? You're the kind that forgets when situations are uncomfortable" Cassidy said at Lumus. 

 " You could see well what's really going on here in Velaris. Yet, all the Kings choose to stay silent.", said Cassidy staring sharply at Lumus. 

 " Anyway, thanks for your time. Don't hesitate to come to me once you've got enough courage to avail your redemption", said Cassidy smiling. 

Redemption? Lumus thinks. Wait. She just said what exactly pierces his heart.

 " If you like..." Lumus uttered when Cassidy is about to exit the door. 

Cassidy stops. She faces Lumus as if waiting for what he will say.

 " If you like you can talk to the Elves King, for me... I've done that before, commanding our element to give more", said Lumus. His voice is kind of shaky .He's feeling torn. 

 Cassidy is a bit stunned at what she heard.

 " You did?" his voice raises in surprise. 

 Lumus shrugs his shoulders. 

 " Neji had exploited even the elements. You see... the problem with scarcity sometimes is not about having less. It's about getting more when you already have more until little or nothing is left to those who actually have less " Lumus explains.

 Cassidy feels like she's freezing. Neji. She whispers his nephew's name on her mind. Her lips are pressed. His fists are shaking.

 Weeks ago 

 " Among the Tribe Kings Zair is the boldest and aggressive. He would just say what he want to without hesitation", Neji said to Lumus as they are tossing wine. 

 " I don't like that kind in my land", Neji frown

 " How about you? Are you doubting me too?" asks Neji Lumus stuttered.

 He couldn't say yes he's doubting too. Neji taps him on the shoulder and smiles. 

 " I remember what Ammita had said to me, that the ring will fully embrace me when its time," said Neji showing the ring on his finger. He has to say these words to Lumus to ease his doubts, to make him see and be reminded about how Cassandra has chosen him, and more than that, he has to use Cassandra's name to validate his authenticity. Lumus stares at him.

 " My loyalty is to the master of the ring " Lumus replied then.

 Neji smiles as if he's the kindest person. Lumus has to feel he's sincere and good.  You must understand my response. Do not just get complacent with it. Lumus thinks while looking at Neji smiling at him. He can't deny that what's happening lately is giving him doubts about his succession. If someone stronger and powerful in Velaris will rise he would have made an alliance with whoever it will be. Your diplomacy cannot erase your greed. Lumus said on his mind.