The Signet Ring

The Ring's Favor

Facing the half-size Gothic mirror Cassidy extends her hand out to the birthmark on her back. She checks how is it as she's still wondering what had happened to it a while ago. She could remember how her mom worries a lot about that thing on her skin. Her mom thought it is what makes her weird. Cassidy pauses as her mom Jhira comes to her mind. She's one of the reasons why she's here at Netiara Academy. I must rescue you Amma. Cassidy thinks as she stares at her mark on the mirror. Her mind travels back to the day when she was still seven years old. She could not forget that day when a group of soldiers came to their farm handling a scroll to her father. She heard that in it was an order of the Ringmaster King, that the Royal Castle needs armies and laborers. So, they have taken her parents and their farm. She could not understand why they also need to take the farm? When laborers are what just they wanted? But later on, she had comprehended that they have been tricked by the Royal King, the recent ringmaster. The same thing had happened to other families in the Tribes. And the Kings of the other Tribes cannot argue, they seems blind of the injustice and corruptions arising because their eyes are fixed on the ring whom the Royal King is wearing.

" How could he make a mistake? He's the ringmaster?!"

"How can he do such nasty things? How can he have unpure motives? He's chosen by the ring?!"

Cassidy wants to puke in disgust as she recalls those usual compliments she hears about Neji, the recent ringmaster, King of the Royal Tribe.

"Velaris how can you be awake? When you choose to sleep?"    Cassidy whispers in despair. Looking at herself in the mirror, Cassidy's reminisces the times in her past life. They said when you are reborn you could not remember a thing in your past life, but not with her case. She could remember all details when she was Cassandra of the Royal Tribe - Queen of all Kingdoms and the very first ringmaster. The phoenix had succeeded. She thinks as she stares at her white hair and touches her birthmark that now had become larger occupying her right shoulder up to the right side of her back.

" Velarians you should not say that you were orphans. I did not leave you",     Cassidy whispers as memories of her past life flooded back to her mind.

" What do you mean I could not defeat Asmodai? I'm the ringmaster!",    Cassandra exclaims to the phoenix. The phoenix responds in chirp it seems like Cassandra could understand its language.

" Yeah, I know he's a demon",   she confusingly answers to the bird's sound.

" What do you mean the ring has a greater power to explore, that my present state cannot contain?", Cassandra is bewildered.

The fiery bird spreads its wings and opened its beak as if demonstrating something.

" Okay, I now understand. I have to die because only by being reborn I can achieve a greater state, a state that can contain the ring's fullest power, in that way, I can defeat Asmodai",   Cassandra said to the phoenix, reiterating what it just told her to let it see that she gets what is it saying. The phoenix joyfully landed on her lap while Cassandra places her finger on its beak.

" But is dying not as painful as your peck?",    she asks gently caressing the bird.  The Phoenix just chirps in response.

" Okay I get it the rebirth process is more crucial than dying, but I have to surpass this perilous gap between death and life because I'm their Queen",     Cassandra said, tears swelling in her eyes.

While, in the phoenix eyes is a sadness it could not utter in human words. Looking at the Queen, it sees how blessed is Velaris for being nurtured and protected by this Queen. The phoenix looks at her in a way assuring it that it will do everything for the Queen. No wavering. No doubt. The phoenix had seen the same in her, as what the signet ring had seen in Cassandra. She was chosen by it because she did not desire the ring, nor the phoenix or the sword.

Kapono dares to enter her chamber throne that night after the succession ceremony.

" Your majesty, I know I'm without invitation but I dare to enter your presence for I'm in doubt about Neji's succession! How did it happen that he's the next ringmaster?"  Kapono keeps his head bowed as he speaks at Cassandra.

Cassandra rose from her gold ivory throne. She gently walks towards Kapono and held his chin.

" If there's doubt in your heart, then just obey him when you see the ring's power unfold in his fingers", Cassandra said at him smiling.

Why this vague gaze, tricky smile from the Queen? Kapono thinks.

Yet he was relieved by what she said. And so he exits in peace.

Cassandra keeps his sight on Kapono as he walks out of her chamber.

" Neji, I could see light and dark in you. I should make Velaris safe even from you. At least in little ways, Kapono can refrain you, once you got caught in your darkness",    she whispers.

Cassandra could feel his nephew's doubt of his succession. Neji feels that he's not really chosen. Yet she still leaves the ring to him. No one knows that the ring is just waiting for the right time to see if he's going to be swallowed by the darkness in him, or be embraced by the light.

" But now, Neji, it seems like you are being slowly eaten up by your own darkness, you're not even aware of",    she emotionally whispers as she sees herself now in the mirror reborn as Cassidy.

" Velaris, I am your reincarnated Queen. If your restoration means summoning the ring, then I'll do it whatever cost"       Cassidy fiercely swears to herself.

At the official start of classes in Netiara Academy, the students turn their heads to Cassidy as she walks to the line , where everyone are gathered together in the quadrangle. Was it because of the aspirant ceremony? She thought. Cassidy looks at the girls standing in line. Okay. Maybe because I'm the only one here in trousers and boots. Shejust shrugs her shoulders anyway.

" Students this is your first official class here in Netiara Academy. You all know very well what we teach here. Historia, Moribus, Gladii, and Elementum. All these courses are essential in molding every next possible ringmaster in becoming worthy of the ring's favor. I hope you all study well"     Kapono addresses the students a sort of welcome for the first day of class. 

While everyone rushes excitedly to their classes, Ashane blocks Cassidy with that jeering looks towards her, she got cornered in that less crowded alley.

" The great teacher doesn't want you here how come you passed?"   Ashane asks her.

Cassidy just ignores him yet he snatches her shoulder stopping her from walking out.

" You should know respect do you know who I ..."   he said

Cassidy's eyes narrowed, her ears flared up by what he heard. She instantly turns around at him and grabs him on his wrist.

" First, don't touch me",     Cassidy said to Ashane in a piercing stare.

" Second, I don't care who you are"   and she pushes him off the wall.

Ashane is left stunned and as she brushes his aching wrist he hears a giggling laugh from behind.

" You must have been enjoying a show, as always",     he turns to Raye. He assumes he's been there the whole time, watching, without them noticing him. Raye comes out from the corner where he's hiding.

" How could be there's one person here in Velaris who do not give a damn about you being a ringmaster's son?"   Raye mockingly said at him.

" I think we will get along",     he adds, again flashing a mocking smile, and left.

Clenching his fingers, Ashane screams his frustration out.

The students wait expectantly to what the teacher will say. Historia is their first subject in a day.

" You may wonder why do you need to study this course when your here to aim for the ring",    the teacher in his 50's looks at them through his big round glasses.

" Well I tell you that day of the past is rich with lessons to learn,"    she said snapping her fingers.

" So magister ( teacher) we're going to study about Queen Cassandra's reign?",    Ryse raises her hand in a proud-looking face.

" No, you're going to study every era in Velaris",     the teacher strictly replied cutting off what she's up to.

Cassidy notices how Ryse felt awkward as she looks at her bratty gestures, memories flashes back to her mind.

 "How about your twins your majesty?   Kapono asks her. He's worried. 

" Do not insist them to the ring. You know how the ring works. Let the ring choose them"     Cassandra replied.

" Yet, I want you to do all that you can to keep their Royal status, and most of all I want them to become brave and righteous",       she said while gently caressing the babies.

" I have trust in your skills as the great teacher in this land",       she gazes at Kapono.

" Magister of Magisters I don't have a choice but to entrust to you my greatest possession",     she softly said in teary eyes.

What happened to the two of you when I died? So many questions are in her mind as Cassidy glances at the twins. Why did you become like that? It's not strength that I see in you, but defenses. Cassidy thinks while staring at Ryse.

" Cassidy!",    the magister's voice draws her mind back.

" You're staring at nowhere, have you heard what I'm asking you?"    she asks her.

" Pardon magister",    she replied.

" Any idea about the rise of Velaris?"   the teacher asks.

 " Magister, Velaris was once a land guarded by the gem elements which are cared of by the Tribes. One distinction that we are blessed by the elements is because every Tribe Kings and their descendants is born naturally with it, but a time came when these elements are not enough to protect the entire land from invaders that are greater and powerful than us. And on one savage night, as the Tribes battle ferociously, Cassandra, the Queen of the Royal Tribe pleaded up to the skies to bestow them a weapon more powerful than the elements. And so came the signet ring. And with it, Velaris rose to light. Its light shines, even more, brighter causing every invader to fear."     Cassidy explains to the magister in details.

The students are impressed and so is the magister.

From the side of her eyes, Cassidy catches a glimpse of Ryse's face. She's annoyed. I do not give a damn if some of you here don't like me around. Cassidy thinks. Good thanks to Kings of the Light Water and the Warrior Tribe, if not because of Lumus and Firmi's objections she had not made it in the admission. How can you be carried away Kapono? This is the question Cassidy had in herself. I must get to the Royal Castle, this is the next step she has to make.

" Why would we have to take this lesson guys? You see Gladdi ( swordsmanship) makes more sense", Ryse whines roughly glancing at Cassidy.

" Not with these some kind of stupid boring storytelling stuff",     Ryse tossing her hair, turns to Cassidy intending she could hear her.

Cassidy rose to her seat, walks slowly towards Ryse, obviously holding her temper.

" You're just like of those kids leeching up on their parent's legacies. If you want to get the ring's favor, you should have some nice story of your own",      she intensely whispers at Ryse, leaving her a gleering look and leave.                                                                                                                                                                           

As Cassidy walks out, again, memories from the past flooded into her mind. Cassidy recalls the day when the ring was bestowed on her. How could she not forget what the voice had said as the ring's true form unfolded before her eyes?

" Many had desired to possess me, but I choose you because you desire to protect your people"     that blazing voice, magically, enchantingly reverberates complementing with all the elements in the land, and there arose a greater power to possess.