Chapter Text
When Cassandra arrived home, her father was on the porch, he smiled at her hopefully, but his smile faded when his daughter saw him sadly and hid behind Fidella as she crossed the fence and led her to her stable. Once there, she removed the reins and her saddle from her mare, looked at herself in the reflection of the water trough, let out a sad sigh, and began to sing.
"Look at me
I will never pass
For a perfect bride"
She removed the jewelry that had been put on her earlier, as she walked to the back door, just in time to see her mother arrive and shake her head sadly. Her father lowered his head and the girl headed into the woods. She didn't want to be a bride, she never believed love was for her, but all that went against the methods of bringing honor to her family.
"Or a perfect daughter
Can it be
I'm not meant to play this part?"
She went to the edge of the forest, took the cage she was carrying, and released her owl.
"Now I see
That if I were truly
To be myself"
She kept walking, passed by a small fallen tree, and jumped over it feeling daring and doing a small somersault in the air.
"I would break my family's heart"
She let out a sigh and walked over to the statue of a knight and his horse, an ancient statue that was built in honor of her great-grandfather. He fought in the War of the Seven Kingdoms and led his squadron to victory.
"Who is that girl I see?
Staring straight
Back at me?"
There was a small lake and she looked into it, her reflection showed her someone she didn't know, someone who wasn't really her.
"Why is my reflection
Someone I don't know?
Somehow I cannot hide
Who I am though I've tried"
She walked towards the small building where her ancestors rested, on the way she picked up a wand and moved it deftly between the fingers of her right hand, if the matchmaker had been there she probably would have had a heart attack.
"When will my reflection show
Who I am inside?"
She knelt in front of the grave of the first family member, bowed her head in respect, and looked at her reflection. With the help of the sleeve of her dress, she removed the makeup from half of her face, looked at the two parts of her face, and decided on the one without makeup. She removed the rest of the makeup, noticing how the dress ended up stained, but without giving it much importance.
"When will my reflection show
Who I am inside?"
She stood up and looked at herself in the reflections of the tombs, she liked the way she looked but was saddened to know that no one would accept her like this. She walked to a tree in the middle of the backyard and sat under it, admiring the sun flowers that had already bloomed. She took off the ribbon and comb that held her hair and let it down, brushing out a lock of wavy black hair, courtesy of her mother.
She heard a cough next to her and saw her father walking towards her, Cass let out a sigh and turned around, not really wanting to talk about what happened. Her father sat down next to her, very careful not to use his injured arm, he let out a sigh and thought of the best way to make her feel better.
“My, my,” he began to speak, looking at the tree above. “What beautiful saplings we have this year,” he looked around looking for something. “But look, at this one,” he said pointing to one. “It's sealed,” the girl turned around and saw the little sapling, “ I'll bet that when it blooms it will be the most beautiful of all.” He picked up one side of her hair with the comb and Cassandra smiled for the first time since they started grooming her.
At that, a drum began to be heard in one of the watchtowers, her father frowned and the girl looked at him in confusion.
“What is it?” She asked. In the distance, Nigel, along with two knights taking up a flagpole with the Corona flag, approached. They all walked to the front door and opened it to see what was going on, her father came out.
“Cassandra, stay inside.” Her mother told her as she too went out. Her grandmother pointed to the kitchen window, which was a bit big and she could see what was going on outside. The girl ran and peeked through the curtains, just as the king's advisor began to speak.
“Citizens!” He shouted in his somewhat shrill voice. “I bring a proclamation from the capital!” Some came out of their houses to hear better, in the distance she saw a girl her age holding a girl by the hand to keep her from walking away, which turned her stomach knowing that she had indeed lived up to the traditions and standards of society. “The separatists have invaded Corona!” Everyone let out worried exclamations, some women scrambled back into their homes with their children in their arms, and some stayed by their husbands' side. “By order of the king, one man from every family must serve in the kingdom army.” He took a list and, without giving anyone time to process the information, began to call out.
“The Peverel family,” a farmer man, who didn't look like a fighter, stepped forward, bowed and one of the knights handed him a rolled-up scroll. “The Jones family”, an elderly man was about to step forward, but his son stopped him, saying he was going to take his father's place. “The Lane family.”
“No.” Cass whispered and, not caring what was said to him, walked toward the door. His father walked, putting his injured arm up as best he could.
“I'm ready to serve the king.” Gothel looked worried but still did not stop him. As he was about to grab the scroll, Cassandra came running up.
“Father you can't go.” She put herself between her father and the soldier on horseback.
“Cassandra.” She was reprimanded by her father, but she ignored him.
“Please sir, my father has already fought bravely...” She couldn't continue as Nigel interrupted her.
“Silence!” she glared at him, “You would do well to teach your daughter to bite her tongue in a man's presence.” That made her very angry, she clenched her fists and gave the same look as her mother to the people of the city. Many around her began to back away in concern as they knew it was dangerous to mess with the Lanes, male or female. However, the royal advisor didn't, he probably did not know the family.
“Cassandra, you dishonor me.” Her grandmother arrived and took her by the arm to lead her back into the house.
“Silence!” she glared at him, “You would do well to teach your daughter to bite her tongue in a man's presence.” That made her very angry, she clenched her fists and gave the same look as her mother to the people of the city. Many around her began to back away in concern as they knew it was dangerous to mess with the Lanes, male or female. However, the royal advisor didn't, he probably did not know the family.
“Cassandra, you dishonor me.” Her grandmother arrived and took her by the arm to lead her back into the house.
“Report tomorrow at the Old Corona camp.” Nigel told him, and her father went back into the house. The girl felt even sadder than before, she was angry at how she had been treated and she was terrified that her father was going to war so badly wounded.
Cassandra slowly approached the armory of the house with a candlestick in her hand, her father was in front of the cabinet where he had his armor, and some weapons were arranged around him. The girl caught a glimpse of her father pulling his sword out of the scabbard, then, he began to make some basic battle moves. Until he made a lunge with his bad arm, causing him to groan in pain and lean against the wall beside him, the girl looked at him in fright and left.
She was in her room collecting the scrolls on her bed while talking to Owl about what was going on.
“I don't like the idea of my father going to war, he has served the king for years and has been an excellent knight. Besides, his left arm is not well, I don't think... I don't think he can survive,” tears flooded her eyes, but she refused to let them out. “What should I do? Etiquette says I'm not supposed to intervene in any man's plans, much less my father's, but if I don't at least try to change his mind, I'll feel too guilty,” her owl hooted softly, wanting to cheer her up. "Yeah, I don't think that will work," she understood him perfectly, something that gave her a lot of leverage when she ran away from home at night and explored the forest. ‘"There must be something I can do." She thought for a moment, but she was called to dinner, so she put the question aside.
At dinner, Cassandra was serving tea, first to her mother who was in front of her, then to her father at the end of the table, to her grandmother next to her, and finally to her. The sky was cloudy, lightning flashed in the distance and it began to rain softly. They all ate their food downcast as if nothing had happened, her grandmother even looked at her sadly and then took a sip of tea. Cass couldn't take it anymore and angrily slammed the cup on the table and stood up.
“You shouldn't have to go!” She shouted at her father.
“Cass.” She was scolded by her mother in a low voice.
“There are plenty of young men who'll fight for Corona.” She said pointing out the obvious.
“It is an honor to protect my country and my family.” Was his only answer.
“So you'll die for your honor?” No one had had the nerve to mention it, but she never stayed silent.
“It is an honor to protect my country and my family.” Was his only answer.
“So you'll die for your honor?” No one had had the nerve to mention it, but she never stayed silent.
“I'll die doing what's right.” He said standing up.
“But...”
“I know my place,” he interrupted her. “It is time you learn yours.” Cassandra frowned and left the dining room, she ran out the back door and held onto a wooden column.
She let out a few tears and, walking under the rain, went into the forest, thinking about what to do. She sat under the statue's horse to protect herself from the even heavier rain, she looked at her reflection in the small puddle under the statue and then saw the shadows behind the curtains of her parents' room. Her mother looked down and his father took her chin so she could see him, she saw that he was talking, and then her mother walked away sadly. Her father lowered his head and blew out the candle.
Cassandra was sad about the whole situation, if only there was something she could do to prevent him from going to war, like that boy who took his father's place.... <Of course> thought the girl and jumped up. With determination, she walked towards the small building at the edge of the forest, entered it leaving traces of rainwater, lit a candle, and placed it in front of a small European dragon statue. She gave them a quick bow, praying to her ancestors for luck in what she was about to do.
She ran home and, without making a sound, climbed the stairs to her parents' bedroom. She opened the door carefully and walked barefoot to her father's desk, there was her family's recruitment parchment, took it, and put the comb with solar flowers in its place. Before she regretted it or her parents woke up, she walked out of there and down the stairs to the armory.
She opened the closet and took out the sword, sat down on the floor, and drew the weapon, taking a deep breath and closing her eyes, she grabbed her hair and with one thrust cut off her long hair. Her black hair was down to her shoulders and, with a green ribbon, she made a high bun, as some men used to wear. She took the armor and, removing the fluffy purple morning dress, put it on a little awkwardly. Fortunately, it was too big for her, so the parts that gave her away as a woman were not visible. She looked at herself in the mirror, her features were still female, so she took some dirt and smudged her face, to look like a man.
She walked a little awkwardly because it was her first time wearing boots, but she soon got used to it as she walked to the stables, and found herself wishing she could wear boots more often instead of those uncomfortable heeled shoes. She opened them and Fidella started whinnying like crazy, so Cass had to try to calm her down.
“Shh, easy girl,” she said, said stroking the animal's mane.. “It's me, Cassandra. We have to go.” The mare seemed to understand what she meant. The girl saddled her and put the few belongings she thought she needed into her saddlebags. She took the reins from Fidella and together they walked to the fence, careful not to make noise, she opened it and mounted it, riding towards the Old Corona camp.
Cassandra's grandmother woke up suddenly, grabbed a candlestick, and walked to her granddaughter's room, seeing that it was empty, she went to her daughter and her husband's room.
“Cassandra is gone!” She shouted, waking up the peaceful sleepers.
“What?” The girl's father asked, a little dazed, at that, he saw the comb and took it.
“It can't be.” He got up and went downstairs as fast as he could, praying to the ancestors that what he was thinking wouldn't happen. When he opened the closet and saw that the armor was gone, his worst fears were realized. He walked out with his wife to the backyard shouting his daughter's name, but he hit his bad arm against the railing of the back stairs, which caused him to stop in the middle of the path. He saw that the gates to the railings were between open and whispered a barely audible no. Gothel went to help him.
“You must go after her,” she said as she took his good arm. “She could be killed.” Her voice was filled with terror for her adored daughter.
“If I reveal her,” he stopped her by grabbing her arm. “She will be.” The woman let out a nervous gasp and hugged her husband with tears in her eyes. From the porch of the house, Cassandra's grandmother was watching them worriedly.
“Ancestors, hear our plea,” she said, closing her eyes. “ Watch over Cassandra.”
At the building on the edge of the forest, a wind blew through and blew out the candle Cass had lit. On the grave of the first member of the Lane family, the words meticulously written on it began to glow bright blue.
As they were all glowing, a spirit began to emerge from it, it was transparent blue. The man was tall, gray-haired black, wore coronian armor, was of long age, and his look was not that of a kind one.
“Ruddiger,” he said to the statue next to him. “Awakening.” The mythological dragon of the mountains began to come to life. It fell from where it hung, making a drumming sound as it fell, the dragon was white with black scale tips forming rings around its body. It was small for a dragon.
“I liveeeee!” he announced to the world, slowly rising from the ground. “So tell me what mortal needs my protection, great ancestor,” he spoke in a comical voice as he paced back and forth. “You just say the word and I'm there.”
“Ruddiger.”
“And let me say something,” he paid him not the slightest attention. “Anybody who's foolish enough to threaten our family, vengeance will be mine!!” He shouted the last word.
“Ruddiger,” he interrupted him somewhat angrily. “These are the family guardians,” he pointed to some statues of different animals both real and fictitious, which were upstairs. "They...."
“Protect the family.” He answered him, not so happy.
“And you, the demoted one,” he said pointing to an empty spot.
“I,” he said with his tail down. “I play the drum.”
“That's right,” he told him kindly, but a little irritated. “Now, wake up the ancestors.” The dragon lowered his head sadly but recovered his spirits.
“One family reunion comes right up,” he said and, flipping the drum with his ossicle, began to beat the drum with his scaly tail. “Okay, people, people, look alive, let's go, come on, get up, all the way past the beauty sleep thing, trust me!” The graves began to glow like the first and men and women of all ages, sizes, and looks appeared blue.
“I knew it, I knew it,” spoke an elderly woman somewhat indignantly. “That Cassandra was a troublemaker from the start." She said turning to a man next to her.
“Don't look at me, she got it from your side of the family.” Defended the man as he turned away.
“ She's just trying to help her father.” She was defended by another elderly woman
“But if she's discovered,” said a boy with an abacus in his hand. “John will be forever shamed, dishonor will come to the family, traditional values will disintegrate."
“My children never caused so much trouble,” spoke the same old woman as before. “They all became chefs.” Meanwhile, Ruddiger was looking at a book, glaring at the old woman. They all started fighting about anything, then they started fighting about which guardian they would send, moving the poor dragon back and forth.
“ Silence,” the first member of the family interrupted them. “We must send the most powerful of all.” He said pointing to the statue of the horse and Cass's great-grandfather, at that the dragon was heard to laugh.
“ Okay, okay, don't insist, I'll go.” They all started laughing only to be reminded why he was no longer a guardian. The first member flew him out and sent him to wake up the stone horse and knight.
He walked towards the statue, took his drum, and began to beat it, shouting at it to get up. Seeing that it did not wake up, he tried to yell at it, beat the drum even louder, and even threw his drumstick as if he were throwing it at a dog, but nothing. He climbed onto her back and, when he was next to his ear, he began to shout.
“Hello!” he tried without much success. “ Helloooo”, he hit his drum to the ear until he broke it, he tried to stick it, but a creaking sound interrupted him. “Oh no”, he managed to say before the statue collapsed, only the great-grandfather's face remained. “Oh man, they're going to kill me”. He said, referring to the ancestors as his spine trembled.
“Great stone knight!” shouted the leader of the ancestors and Ruddiger saw that he was leaning out of the window. “Have you awakened?!”
“I just woke up,” the spirit saw through the trees to the knight's head moving a little strangely. “I am the great stone knight, good morning. I'll go to fetch Cassandra,” he said as he looked away. "Did I mention I am the great stone knight?"
“Go, the fate of the Lane family rests in your hands.” The spirit told him as he bowed his head in respect.
“Don't even worry about it, I won't lose the trail.” He walked backward and fell down a slope, disappearing from the spirit's sight.
“That's just great, now what?” he asked when he stood up. “I'm doomed and all 'cause miss man decides to take a little drag show on the road". At that moment Owl arrived and hooted.
“Go get her?” He asked indignantly and the owl nodded. “ What's the matter with you? After this great stone humpty dumpty mess, I'd have to bring her home with a medal to get back in the temple,” he said sarcastically, but an idea occurred to him. ”Wait a minute, that's it. I'll make Cassandra a war hero and they'll be begging me to come back to work", he said happier than before. ‘That's the master plan, oh you done it now man,’ thanks to his shape-shifting ability, he turned into a raccoon and started to run to the exit, Owl followed him flying close behind. ‘Hey, what makes you think you're coming?" He rudely asked the girl's owl. “You're lucky? Haha, do I look like a sucker to you?” The owl hooted again without stopping to follow him. “Sure, I'm not going to believe that lie about you being her pet owl.” But still, they kept running towards the camp.