Cassandra

Chapter Six

Cassandra POV 

My head hits the side of the chariot and I open my eyes. There is a drool coming from my mouth, which I clean quickly. I open the curtains to look where we are. It’s almost dark now and we are passing through a jungle. There are trees on both sides and the path ahead is dimly lit by the lantern carried by the servants. I could hear the voices coming from the jungle over the horses' neighing and trots. 

I close the curtain back and close my eyes again. I feel my belly make a rumbling noise and it hits me that I haven’t eaten anything since we have left. 

One thing that Maria told me to keep in mind was to eat. She said that we would fight any battles if our stomach is full. The food makes us strong and increases our immunity. I open my bag and take out an apple. There is also water for me but it is too much for a single person, so I call out the servant and ask them to take sips and pass to others. I do the same with the food. They must be hungry too. 

The servants informed me that we are about to reach. I quickly brush my hair and clean my face with a wet cloth. I might not be a princess here but I still want to be presentable. If a knight couldn’t take care of themself, then they couldn’t take care of anyone else. I have learned this by watching my Daddy and Louis. Releasing that I have kept his parcel in my bag, I take this chance to open it. As I open the parcel, my eyes are lit with the shining armor in front of my eyes. It’s his sword, the one that I loved the most and wanted it for myself. 

He knew that. 

I see a letter placed in the parcel and take it out 

Cass,

Use it wisely. The edges are sharp and one perfect blow would severely injure even the strongest of the knight. 

Love Louis 

I could feel tears forming in my eyes, as I take the sword in my hand, touching the ornate cross-guard that spread out like a leaf, with a jewel embedded in the center. I run my fingers across the runes filling the blade’s fuller. The balance of the weapon was impeccable. The metal of the carved guard, and leather-bound hilt, balanced the thick, heavy blade efficiently.

It is magnificent 

The horses have halted and the rustling sounds by the servants and my guard make me realize that we have reached. I close my bag and prepare myself to step out. The servants open the curtains and help me out. 

My eyes land of the dark and hulky structure in front of me. It is dimly light and picturesque. I could feel like I certainly belong here. Even standing outside, the place gives me chills. The hauntingly beautiful art on the pillars is mesmerizing. I want to run my fingers through them and hear what they will tell me. The walls look strong and robust and high, too high. The tomb at the top is built with marble, making it shine even from a far distance. 

I am sure, the place from the inside will be huge too

I hear the voice of commander calling me out and my cheeks flush with embarrassment. It is night but I was surely daydreaming. I pat my face and turn around, giving him a small smile. He is not affected by that and stands straight at one place looking prepared for any situation. 

I make my way towards him and stand in front of him. 

“Princess Cassandra, we would be leaving now. I want you to go inside immediately since it is dark out.”, before I could interrupt he continues. 

“We have halted a few feets away from the gates so no one suspects you.” I nod but I am not able to resist to say, “Commander, it is late and as you said it will get darker now. I would like all of you to take rest here tonight and start your journey at the dawn”

I look straight into his eyes not fearing him at all. I know my people who have been tired walking all day and might be hungry too. They should take rest and leave in the morning. The darkness holds danger. 

“Princess, I am afraid but I have the kings order to come back as soon as possible, so we have to leave now”, saying this he bows down and signals me to go inside. 

I roll my eyes and turn around. I know there is no arguing any further, I couldn’t ask him to disobey my father, so I make my way towards academia, hoping that the reach my kingdom soon and safely. 

As I reach the gates, I could see guards stationed at both sides. They hold pointy spears and wear a metal helmet over their head. A mail hauberk protects their chest and leg guard their leg. 

One of them approaches me as he sees me going inside.

“You are not allowed to go inside”, I show the seal that my Daddy has given me and he gives me the way to go inside. I am about to enter when I turn around and bow to him. 

I am still not aware of what I should and shouldn’t do here. I see people bowing to me and I think that’s what people do. They look at me strangely so I make my way inside quickly. 

As I step inside, I see myself standing in front of a tall, lean white man in his thirties. He has got a chevron mustache. His eyes look huge from where I am standing and I could feel them piercing my soul. 

“You are too late”, he informs me and I look down. This might be the first time for me when I look down while talking to someone. Even when I talk to my Daddy, I look him in the eyes, but the way he said those words, make me embarrassed all of a sudden. 

“I apologize, the journey..”, I am cut short when I see his finger on his lips. I look down again feeling a sudden pit in my stomach. 

“We don’t make excuses her girl” “excuses can kill you in the first second of the battle”, I could see a smirk on his face. He is enjoying insulting me, but I am in no position to say a word. 

“This won’t happen again”, I say still looking at the ground. 

“That’s better, but still this is your first warning”, from the tone of his voice, I could make that, he is sincere with his threat. Only if he knew that I am a princess, he would show me some respect. I am about to say exactly that when I see him signaling me to the right direction. 

“Since you are the one who arrived at the last, you don’t get to chose where you will be staying for the rest of your training”, he glances me from top to bottom and suddenly I feel uneasy, “If you are able to survive here” saying this he starts to move towards the direction he indicated and I follow him with almost jog. 

I am out of breath when I reach the chamber and he looks back at me.

“So weak”, I hear him whisper and I stand straight immediately. 

He puts a key and opens the room. As he pushes the door open, I place a hand of my face to stop myself from throwing up. The room is stinking with the smell of rotten vegetable and I could see the dust rising from everywhere like the room hasn’t been cleaned for a long time. 

“The kitchen is right next to this room, and it was used earlier to keep all the vegetable and food. It hasn’t been used for a long time, so clean it up a bit and make your bed. We will start early tomorrow.”, I look at him with surprised eyes. I could feel my body ache from the journey and now I have to clean the room. 

“But I…I just got here and this”, I wave my hand around to the dusty stinky room, “this will take me almost all night to clean”. I leave the part where I don’t know how to clean. I was never taught that. 

“I will send someone to clean it today. But the rest of the days you would have to do it” I release a breath I was holding inside and bow again. 

He waves the gestures off and I could see him getting annoyed. He starts to leave and calls a servant to help me today. 

“I don’t know why I agreed to train girls, they are so weak and full of excuses”, he makes a frustrating comment and knows that I am able to hear that. 

I see him stopping and turning back “Remember you came here with your permission but you will leave when I allow it” 

Finally, I put my bag down and slide by the end of the gate, keeping my face on my knees. I don’t know when my tiredness took me to sleep.